DUPUYTRENS DISEASE, CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME, TRIGGER FINGER, AND DIABETES-MELLITUS

A comparative prospective study of 120 adult diabetics (60 insulin dep endent, 60 non-insulin dependent) and 120 non-diabetic adults as contr ols showed significantly higher incidence of Dupuytren's disease, limi ted joint motion, carpal tunnel syndrome, and flexor tenosynovitis in the diabetic population. Of the diabetic patients one third had a mild non-progressive form of Dupuytren's disease, which commonly involved the long and ring rays. Limited joint motion was noted in a third of d iabetics, and carpal tunnel syndrome was observed in 15-25%, and flexo r tenosynovitis in about a fifth. Limited joint motion co-existed with Dupuytren's disease in 57% of insulin-dependent diabetics. Diabetic p olyneuropathy was found in two thirds of insulin-dependent diabetics a nd in one third of non-insulin dependent diabetics. All these hand cha nges were more marked in insulin-dependent diabetics and they showed a positive correlation with increasing age of the patient, duration of the diabetes, and the presence of a microangiopathy.