Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition which can effect different systems of the body

Objectives In this study we aimed to determine the impairments in hand and upper extremity functions, pain and quality of life in diabetic patients.

Methods Fifty diabetic patients who attended to physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics were evaluated. The patients fasting blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A1 C levels, body mass indexes were detected; existing hand deformities were noted; evaluations of hand strength was made by hand grip strength, hand pain by VAS, hand skills by purdue pegboard test and nerve involvement by semmes weinstein monofilaments (SWM). For upper extremity functions Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand scores (DASH) and for quality of life Nottingham Health profile (NHP) test were selected.

Results The mean age of the patients were 62,76±10,99 years. Among our DM patients only 4 patients had normal weight, 14 were over weight, 29 were obese and 4 had morbid obesity. The mean valueof fasting blood gucose was 145,2 and that of HbA1 c was 7,64. In hand evaluations we found trigger finger and dupuytren contracture in 10,6%, restricted hand mobility in 3,4%,crepitation of hand tendons in 55,3% and carpal tunnel syndrome in 38,3%. SWM median nerve mean values were 3,64±0,68 and that of ulnar nerve was 3,77±0,83.In correlation analysis we found hand pain by VAS correlated all evaluation parameters except purdue pegboard test. SWM scores correlated with all subgroups of NHP, purdue pegboard test and hand pain by VAS. DASH scores correlated with HbA1 c levels, abdominal circumference, grip strength and SWM evaluations.

Conclusions In our diabetic patients we found nearly all patients were obese or overweight; had problems both in hand functions and median - ulnar nerves. Involvement of the nerves leads to problems in quality of life and fine skills of hands. Additional upper extremity impairments increase their pain and disability. As a result we suggest the patients to have a strict glucose control for a better life standard.

Disclosure of Interest None declared