Patients with type 1 diabetes have a high prevalence of upper extremity impairments such as frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and Dupuytren contracture, according to a recent study published in the June 2023 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.¹

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of four upper-extremity impairments namely frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and Dupuytren contracture among 2245 Danish patients with type 1 diabetes. The matched control group included 841 individuals from the general population. Socioeconomic and clinical data was sourced from national registers. The symptoms and diagnosis of upper-extremity impairments were self-reported via questionnaires.

Results showed that patients with type 1 diabetes were 3 times more likely to have frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel syndrome with odds ratio (OR) of 3.5. The prevalence of Dupuytren contracture was 4 times higher with OR of 4.3, while the prevalence of trigger finger was 5 times higher with OR of 5.0. Type 1 diabetes patients had a higher probability of coexisting impairments compared to the control group. The study also explored various factors associated with upper-extremity impairments. The association was greater among those with long standing diabetes. A correlation between older age, higher BMI, female sex, higher HbA1c, macro and microvascular complications and higher risk of occurrence of upper-extremity impairments was also observed.

Although the study only demonstrates an association, nevertheless these findings do show a high prevalence of upper-extremity impairments among patients with type 1 diabetes. Hence, they should be regularly screened for upper-extremity impairments for timely interventions since they have significant adverse effects on working ability and consequently work performance and productivity. Additionally, it may contribute to low health-related quality of life.

Reference

1. Wagner S, et al. Upper-extremity impairments in type 1 diabetes: results from a controlled nationwide study. Diabetes Care. 2023 Jun 1;46(6):1204-1208. doi: 10.2337/dc23-0063.