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

Prevalence of Non-Invasive Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes among Higher Education Teachers in North-Western Nigeria

Background: Teaching is associated with a number of stressful circumstances that promote unhealthy lifestyles capable of fuelling risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. This study investigated the prevalence of selected non-invasive risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) among higher education teachers. Methods: Higher education teachers numbering 876 from three tertiary institutions in Kano; North- Western Nigeria were assessed on selected non-invasive risk factors of T2D including Body Mass Index (BMI); Waist Circumference (WC); Waist-Hip-ratio (WHR); Percent Body Fat (PBF) and family history of diabetes. Lifestyle including smoking; alcoholism and physical inactivity were also assessed. Results: Female-male ratio of participants was 1:5 while the age range was 24-58 years. Female teachers had higher prevalence of poor adiposity markers represented by overweight (33.8); obesity (12.7); high PBF (21.7) and WC in the high risk domain (53.5). They also had higher prevalence of hypertension (22.5) while men had higher prevalence of WHR (31.2) in the high risk domain. Positive family history of diabetes was 6.5(males); 7.5(females); physical activity at walking level 46.0(males); sedentary activity 85.9(females); current smoking habit 42.8(males); 4.3(females) and current alcohol consumption was 11.9for males and 0for female teachers. Conclusion: There may be considerable chances of developing T2D among the higher education teachers based on prevalence of the selected risk factors and the risk may be higher among the female teachers. Measures to change the modifiable risk factors for the better in this population are urgently needed

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