Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Diabetes mellitus has various characteristics in different organs. Some of the most important signs and symptoms are seen in joints and musculoskeletal system.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on rheumatologic presentations of diabetic patients in Gorgan, Northeast of Iran.

Methods: This was descriptive-analytic study which was done on DM patients whom referred to endocrinology super specialty center in panjom azar hospital in Gorgan province (North part of Iran) from 2008 till 2009. Questioners were completed by patients after collecting data from clinical manifestations, examinations, laboratory test and X-ray from lumbar spine. All data were recorded and all patients had consents.

Results: In this study 256 diabetics were recruited with a 50.41±12.29 years old mean±S.D. Fasting blood glucose level was calculated as 186.2±69.54 ng/dl. BMI was reported 28.04±5.26 kg/m² and mean±S.D. of duration of disease was 7.87±7.31 years. There was a two to one female/male ratio. Knee and lumbar osteoarthritis and lumbar osteopenia were the most prevalent presentations. Knee and lumbar osteoarthritis had significant relationship with BMI (P value De poytren contracture, trigger finger and reflex sympathetic dystrophic had a significant relationship with the duration of the disease (P value).

Mean FBS level showed a significant difference between whose with trigger finger and others (P value).

Conclusion: Body mass index is an important risk factor for osteoarthritis especially in patients with an underlying disease like diabetes mellitus.