Scientists have identified four conditions that should be considered complications of type 1 diabetes, including frozen shoulder syndrome and carpal tunnel.
Research presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUKPC) 2021 suggests that type 1 diabetes is likely to be the direct cause of certain musculoskeletal disorders.
By analyzing genetic and health data, the researchers identified four conditions that they claim should now be considered complications of type 1 diabetes.
Some musculoskeletal disorders – affecting muscles, bones, and joints – are known to be more common in people with the condition.
So far, however, it has not been clear whether type 1 diabetes is a direct cause or whether other factors are at play.
The research team led by Dr. Harry Green of the University of Exeter analyzed data from the UK biobank – one of the largest health studies in the world – and FinnGen, a similar database in Finland.
They used genetic and health information to study whether people with type 1 diabetes were more likely to develop a range of common conditions.
When a link between type 1 diabetes and another health condition was discovered, the team used a statistical technique called Mendelian randomization to understand whether type 1 diabetes played a causal role.
The analysis found that type 1 diabetes directly increased the risk of developing a frozen shoulder, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Dupuytren’s contracture.
These are all musculoskeletal disorders characterized by pain and limited mobility in the shoulder, hand, wrist or fingers.
Researchers say these conditions should now be viewed as complications of type 1 diabetes resulting from high blood sugar levels, along with kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
However, type 1 diabetes has not been found to play a causal role in the development of osteoarthritis – degeneration of joints.
It is believed that raising health care professionals’ awareness of these four musculoskeletal disorders chronic complications of type 1 diabetes will facilitate early diagnosis and timely treatment, and improve outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Harry Green, Independent Research Associate at the University of Exeter, said: “It is known that many diseases are linked to diabetes, but it is often unclear whether diabetes is a direct causal factor or otherwise.
“We hope that a better understanding of the causal role that type 1 diabetes and long-term high blood sugar play in the development of musculoskeletal disorders will pave the way for these disorders to be detected earlier in patients with diabetes.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
This means that the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels.
Around 8% of the 3.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK have type 1.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said, “Dr. Green has shown for the first time that several musculoskeletal disorders can be a direct complication of type 1 diabetes.
“People with type 1 diabetes should now be made aware of these diseases in addition to established complications such as heart and kidney diseases.
“These results are a reminder of the importance of helping people with type 1 diabetes control their blood sugar levels so that they can live well with the disease and avoid future complications.
“It is critical that health professionals understand these complications. Therefore, they have the knowledge to enable early diagnosis and treatment, and to ensure the best possible care for people with type 1 diabetes.”
