Rheumatologic Disorders in Diabetes Mellitus: Case Reports and Review of Literature

Various rheumatologic disorders are associated with diabetes mellitus. These include osteoarthritis, shoulder pain syndrome, flexor tendon synovitis and Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH). Although Diabetes Mellitus has been frequently reported among Nigerians, there are few reports on rheumatologic disorders among them. This is a case report of four rheumatologic conditions commonly seen among Nigerian diabetics. Three (3) of the four diabetic patients were females, (ages 67-87yrs) and had limited joint mobility (LJM), Shoulder Pain syndrome with Sudecks Atrophy and neurogenic bladder in the 82yr old. The fourth patient, 61 yr old male had LJM only. Diabetes duration ranged from 10-20 years. They were managed conservatively with NSAID, intra-articular steroid injection into the shoulder joint and intra-lesional injection in the patient with trigger finger. Response to therapy was effective with little or no pain after. Long disease duration and old age are essentials to the onset of rheumatological disorders in diabetes. There may be multiple manifestations in any one patient and multidisciplinary approach in management of patients to improve outcome and overall quality of life is advocated. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, duration, rheumatologic manifestation.