Evaluation of blood glucose level in patients with shoulder pain attending the shoulder clinic: a cross-sectional study

Correlation between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and musculoskeletal problem has been established in many of the past studies. There are reports of high prevalence (up to 63%) of upper extremity impairment in diabetic patients. The main aim was to conduct a study to determine the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in patients with shoulder complaints. It may help the treating physician in managing patients with shoulder problems.

During a period of six months from February 2018 to August 2018, patients who consulted shoulder clinic with complain of shoulder pain were included in this cross sectional study. Eligible patients were enrolled after informed consent was obtained. A uniform checklist was completed for every patient. The key components of the checklist were: demographic data, fasting blood glucose(FBS), diagnosis, body mass index( BMI).Diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes was done by FBS level( FBS between 100 to 126 considered prediabetes and more than 126 as diabetes.

564 eligible patients were enrolled in the study. Of the 564 patients, 18.8% had DM, 25.9% had pre-diabetes, and 55.3% had normal fasting blood glucose. A higher proportion of men had abnormal fasting glucose compared to women (54% and 33.9% respectively). There was no significant difference in blood glucose levels in respect to different shoulder pathologies (P = 0.191).

This study shows that population with shoulder complaint have a higher prevalence of DM than the normal population. This high proportion of patients with impaired blood glucose levels and shoulder pain necessitates further research in this course and advancement towards risk factors of DM. It is more important in community areas where routine screening of diabetes is not performed.