Musculoskeletal Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), beyond its well-known complications, also affects the musculoskeletal system and causes a decline in patients’ quality of life. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their impact on patients with T2DM.

Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study, which included 441 participants, was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024 at JSS Medical College, Mysore. All participants were subjected to the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment to assess pain in musculoskeletal locations and the corresponding degree of functional disability.

Results: The study revealed that the overall prevalence of MSDs was 66.21%. The study identified risk factors for musculoskeletal complications, including poor glycemia control, older age (≥45), female gender, low socioeconomic status, prolonged disease duration (>7 years), and poor work environment.

Conclusion: This study is one of the first to report the significance of work-related risk factors and also other demographic risk factors in the development of MSDs in diabetic individuals. Hence, this indicates the need for routine musculoskeletal screening and early intervention in diabetes care to prevent disability and improve quality of life.

Cite this article as: Gaur V, P S, Kaushik V, et al. Musculoskeletal disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital. Endocrinol Res Pract. 2025;29(4):298-305.