Cheiroarthropathy in relation to micro and macroangiopathy in type- i diabetes mellitus

Abstract EN

Hypothesis: Some recent prospective studies questioned the role of limited joint mobility (L.

J.

M.) to predict micro vascular diseases (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) in type-I diabetic patients.

But, little is known about the association of L.J.M.

to macro vascular diseases e.

g early atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Aim of Study : To determine the percentage of L.

J.

M.

among type-I diabetic patients.

Also, to assess the association between L.

J.

M.

and micro as well as macro vascular diseases and to explain the role of sex in this association.

Methodology : The study was conducted at Rheumatology and Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine Departments of Tanta University Hospital over 6 months.

The material consisted of 100 type-I diabetic patients.

The controls (n = 100) were matched with cases for age, sex and demographic characteristics.

Joint mobility was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively for all cases and controls.

Then diabetic cases were subjected to assessment of retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and hypertension.

Sonographic examination of the carotid arteries and laboratory investigations were performed.

Results : L.

J.

M.

was recorded among 36% of type-I diabetic patients relative to 7% only in the control group.

We found a significant association between L.

J.

M.

and micro-macro vascular diseases including retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, hypertension and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Concerning the role of sex, the study showed that diabetic males with L.

J.

M.

were more liable to nephropathy and hypertension.

On the hand, diabetic females were more liable to early (subclinical) atherosclerosis.

Recommendation : Routine screening of type-I diabetic patients for L.

J.

M.

by simple passive manipulation that can provide a good indicator for other micro and macro vascular complications.