Proportion and distribution of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and its association with disability in type 2 diabetes mellitus

•Approximately half of type 2 diabetes mellitus individuals suffer from upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.•Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent bilaterally in thirty-two percent of individuals.•Limited joint mobility and frozen shoulder are the most prevalent disorders.•The proportion of limited joint mobility was more than frozen shoulder.•Amongst all disorders, frozen shoulder leads to maximum disability, followed by limited joint mobility and trigger finger. Cross-sectional Globally, diabetes is a leading cause of disability with an increased prevalence rate in the past three decades. Chronic diabetes has been shown to affect collagenous tissue which often leads to subsequent musculoskeletal complications. Despite increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, the proportion and distribution of types of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders resulting in disabilities is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study aims to gather data on the prevalence, proportion and distribution of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Further, this study examines the relationship between common upper extremity disorders and the resulting disability among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 170 individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were recruited at a tertiary care hospital. Routine upper extremity assessments were performed to identify the presence of Frozen Shoulder (FS), Limited Joint Mobility (LJM), Trigger Finger, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), and Dupuytren's Contracture. Disability was measured using the Disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's test, and Pearson's test were used to examine the prevalence, proportion and distribution of musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities among individuals with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 83(48.9%) participants had one or a combination of multiple musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity. The proportion of LJM, FS, CTS, Trigger Finger, and Dupuytren's Contracture were n = 46(27.1%); n = 43(25.3%); n = 16(9.4%); n = 8(4.7%); n = 5(2.9%) respectively. Disability scores on the DASH were 25.8 ± 14.5, 10.3 ± 11.9, and 10.6 ± 10.4 respectively for individuals with FS, LJM and Trigger Finger. DASH scores were highest in individuals with both CTS and FS, 29.8 ± 19.3. Duration of diabetes was significantly associated (r = 0 .19; P < .01) with the disabi