Musculoskeletal manifestations in type-2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a North-Eastern city of India—A cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes are common and not life threatening, but these are an important cause of morbidity, pain and disability among diabetic patients. In 2004, the National Health Interview Survey determined that 58% of diabetic patients would have musculoskeletal functional disability. This study was designed to estimate the proportion of musculoskeletal manifestations among Type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Tripura and also to determine the association of various musculoskeletal manifestations with glycaemic status, body mass index and duration of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in a northeastern state of India from December 2020 to November 2021. All the diabetic patients attending diabetes nutrition clinic of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year were considered for this study. Diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorder was made based on history, physical examination, laboratory test and imaging test. Quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Descriptive data was expressed in percentages and frequencies using charts and tables. Chi-square test was applied to explore any association between variables. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. RESULTS: Out of four hundred and forty-two diabetic cases and two hundred and thirty-four (52.9%) patients were found with musculoskeletal manifestations, 55% of which belong to 45–59 age group. CONCLUSION: Physicians treating diabetic patients should be encouraged for regular examination for musculoskeletal complaints. Early diagnosis will facilitate appropriate treatment and thus prevents further complications.