Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Manifestations in Type 2 Diabetes: A Single Centre, Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and methods: In this single center, cross sectional study, 300 patients with clinically documented T2D were recruited from the outpatient clinic. Demographics, diabetes history, family history, treatment modalities, musculoskeletal symptoms were self-reported by participants. Anthropometric measurements and musculoskeletal examination were conducted by investigators. Complete blood count, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urine analysis, and X rays of the symptomatic joints were performed. Results: Of 300 patients with T2D, musculoskeletal manifestations were observed in 50.7%. Osteoarthritis of the knee was the most common manifestation (20.3%) followed by carpal tunnel syndrome (10.7%), adhesive capsulitis (8.3%), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (7.3%), diabetic cheiroarthropathy (6.0%), flexor tenosynovitis (2.3%), and Dupuytren’s contracture (0.7%). Age (p = 0.001), T2D duration (p = 0.004), BMI (p = 0.031) and HbA1c (p= 0.006) were associated with increased prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations. Conclusions: Prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations is higher in people with T2D. Advanced age, longer duration of disease, overweight and high HbA1c levels are associated with increased prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations.