Impact of Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders on Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic multisystem disease characterised by persistent hyperglycaemia that lead to a wide range of complications, including Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). Quality Of Life (QOL) in chronic diseases such as DM has an important role in mental, physical and social performance of patients and plays an important role in health care. Aim: To study the impact of upper limbs MSD on QOL in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Internal Medicine in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari, North of Iran from March 2013 to April 2016, on 50 patients with type 2 DM suffering from upper limb MSD and 50 age and sex matched diabetic patients with no upper limb problems. QOL was evaluated using the Mental and Physical Components Scores (MCS and PCS) of the Short Form-36 and Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL). In patients with MSD, Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF) was completed. Comparisons between groups were undertaken using Chisquare test for categorical data and t-tests for continuous data. Statistical significance was taken at p≤0.05. Results: Patients with MSD showed significantly lower mean of PCS (36.05±6.8 vs. 41.52±10.4, p=0.003), and higher DQOL (2.76±0.41 vs. 2.45±0.6, p=0.006), but MCS scores were not significantly different. Conclusion: Upper limb MSDs could reduce quality of life in diabetic patients. Physicians are required to be aware of these complications and manage them effectively.

Keywords

• adhesive capsulitis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• trigger finger