Relationship between duration of diagnosis and neuromusculoskeletal complications of middle-aged type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract. BACKGROUND: Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) often present with complications involving the neuromusculoskeletal system which creep in as the condition advances in years. Hence there is a need to further understand how the duration of diagnosis of diabetes (DD) relates to the neuromusculoskeletal complications in order to design timely preventive programmes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the duration of diabetes and neuromusculoskeletal complications in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 139 consenting T2D patients and 139 age and sex-matched nondiabetic individuals. The participants were assessed for the DD and selected neuromusculoskeletal complications including muscle weakness, ranges of motion (ROM), pain and foot ulceration. RESULTS: The mean DD was 7.82 ± 2.41 years. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) between the clinical variables of both groups. In the diabetic participants, significant inverse relationships (P<0.05) were obtained between the DDD and each of muscle strength {elbow flexors (r = -0.57), knee extensors (r = -0.63), handgrip (r = ­0.82)}; ROM {wrist extension (r = -0.64) and ankle planterflexion (r = -0.63)}. Significant and direct relationships were obtained between the DDD and each of pain (r = 0.62) and ulcerative grading (r = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 Diabetes patients have poorer neuromusculoskeletal variables and longer duration of diabetes is associated with reduced muscle strength, diminished ROM, gradual ulceration of skin of the feet and higher level of foot pain. Immediate therapeutic exercises against these complications soon after diagnosis of diabetes may help to decelerate their progression

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: outcome of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise programme

ABSTRACT. Background and Objectives:Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with their physical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods: Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic ofAminu KanoTeaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades, disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weeks without therapeutic exercises. Results: Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P<0.05) were obtained for pain, Severity of Dermatological Foot Grading, Muscle strength (One Repetition Maximum)and Range of Motions at the end of the exercises except that of right wrist extension (P>0.05). Conclusions: T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function

Range of Motion in Selected Joints of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects

The purpose of the study was to compare the mobility of selected joints of the limbs in diabetic and non-diabetics subjects. One hundred subjects comprising of 50 volunteer diabetics and 50 volunteer non-diabetics subjects participated in this study. The range of motion of the shoulder; elbow; wrist; fingers; hip and knee joins were measured using a double armed simple goniometer and recorded in degrees. The outcome of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between joint mobility in the diabetic and non-diabetic subjects for all the joints range measured except the knee and elbow joints. There was also a low and positive correlation between duration of diabetes and frequency of finger deformities. No significant difference was found between joint mobility of male and female diabetics subjects. It was concluded that reduced range of motion of some joints especially of the wrist and hand could set in as a complication diabetics conditions

Principles of exercise prescription for asymtomatic asthmatic - patients with other ailments on referral

The asthmatic patient may be required to participate in an exercise programme as part of the rehabilitation for some other ailments. The bronchial response of asthmatics to exercise puts them at a physiological disadvantage for exercise therapy. The bronchoconstrictor response of asthmatics to exercise can be made less severe by manipulating the type; duration; intensity and frequency of exercise. The time of the routine bronchodilator drug administration can also be manipulated such that the bronchodilator effect of the drug can effectively accommodate the bronchoconstrictor response to exercise. The asthmatic patient needs to be given special consideration while drawing up a plan of exercise for his rehabilitation either as part of the physical treatment of asthma or when he presents with other ailments on referral. This will enable him to exercise safely and effectively