Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of chronic musculoskeletal pain: a study with diabetes cohort

The relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and chronic musculoskeletal complaints (cMSCs) remains largely debated. We investigated the association between T2DM and cMSCs in a cohort of 347 participants. A cross-sectional design was employed using the modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal symptoms (cMSS) defined by pain and/stiffness lasting ≥3 months during the past 12 months. Multiple logistic regressions were employed to estimate the odds ratio among the diabetics compared to those without diabetes at 95 % CI. Generally, there was a high prevalence of cMSS among the cohorts, chronic low back pain being the most common complaint both among the diabetics (83; 49.7 %) and non-diabetics (70; 38.9 %).T2DM was associated with a higher prevalence of cMSS in at least one body segment and in all the nine body regions studied. cMSS was 2.5 times more likely among persons with T2DM compared to those without diabetes. Also, individuals with T2DM are 29 times at risk of cMSP of the upper back and knee compared to healthy cohorts. T2DM is associated with a higher risk of cMSP, a risk which is increased for the peripheral system much the same as centrally located musculoskeletal structure.