Diabetes mellitus and predisposition to athletic pedal fracture

The purpose of this project was to study the epidemiology of pedal fractures among diabetic athletes and to determine whether diabetic athletes have a higher prevalence of pedal fractures than athletes from the general population. Questionnaire results were obtained from 120 athletes, 60 with diabetes mellitus and 60 without the disease. Subjects answered questions regarding gender, age, duration of disease (if present), presence of Type I or Type II diabetes, daily activity level, types of physical activity, and the admission or denial of athletically induced pedal fracture, including which bones were affected. Statistical significance was achieved with the following parameters: the presence of diabetes and increased prevalence of fracture (p < 0.025) maleness and diabetes and increased prevalence of fracture (p < 0.05), duration of diabetes greater than 25 years and increased prevalence of fracture (p < 0.005), control subjects greater than 30 years of age and increased prevalence of fracture (p = 0.007), moderate correlation between diabetes and prevalence of multiple fractures (r = 0.55, p < 0.025), and moderate correlation between daily activity level and prevalence of fracture among control subjects (r = 0.73, p < 0.05). The most frequently fractured bone was the fifth metatarsal. Until now the literature available on the topic has been sparse, confusing and inconclusive; the results of this study was enable individuals with diabetes to be informed of the risks of pedal fracture associated with active lifestyles.