Rheumatic Manifestations of Diabetes

Abstract

Rheumatic manifestations are common clinical problems in patients with diabetes, especially in patients with long disease duration and poor glycemic control. The pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases in diabetes is still unclear, however, several factors can contribute to the disease such as microvascular injury, the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, the complications of diabetic polyneuropathy, genetic predisposition, and shared common risk factors. The rheumatic conditions that are reviewed in this article include diabetic cheiroarthropathy, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, adhesive capsulitis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, neuropathic arthropathy, and gouty arthritis. The incidence of common rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, is not increased in patients with diabetes. Because rheumatic conditions affect quality of life and functions of diabetes patients, physicians need to pay attention to clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of these rheumatic diseases. (J Korean Diabetes 2013;14:182-185)