Material and Methods
In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 702 patients with diabetes who applied to our endocrinology clinic and outpatient clinic between March 2017 and February 2018 were consecutively included in the study, and the musculoskeletal disorders were assessed by the same physician. The patients with chronic arthritis due to rheumatological diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and those with collagen tissue disease, patients under 18 years of age, and those diagnosed with gestational diabetes were not included in the study.
Informed consent was obtained from each of the participants. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine (#20.478.486-54). A detailed history of the patients was taken, and a physical examination was performed. Subsequently, the measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were made. Afterward, ophthalmic examination findings, electromyography (EMG) results, and laboratory data were recorded from the outpatient files.
The symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system were investigated in these patients. The presence of LJMS was checked by the prayer sign and tabletop sign. For the diagnosis of Dupuytren’s contracture, palmar or digital nodules were examined for findings such as pretendinous cord and flexion contracture. In order to determine flexor tenosynovitis, the patients were asked whether their fingers lock in flexion or extension. Passive and active shoulder movements were evaluated. A foot examination was performed for the presence of Hallux valgus, claw toes, pes cavus, Charcot joint, and diabetic foot. The relationship of musculoskeletal disorders with metabolic parameters and complications of diabetes was also evaluated in the present study.