Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Shoulder in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: Shoulder degeneration and rotator cuff tears increase with age and become a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder causing pathologies in the musculoskeletal system. In our study, we aimed to evaluate shoulder morphology in diabetic and control groups. Methods: Fifty two diabetic patients (62.4 +/- 9.6 years) and 46 non-diabetic patients (66.2 +/- 7.8 years) with no shoulder pain were included in the study. Ultrasonographic evaluation was performed on right shoulder using the standard protocol. The examination was performed multiplanar with a linear probe (5-13 MHz). Results: Calcific tendinitis was detected in 8 of diabetic patients (17.4%) and in 7 of control patients (13.5%). Partial tear was detected in supraspinatus tendon in 4 of diabetic patients (8.7%) and in 1 of control patients (1.9%). Full-thickness tears were found in supraspinatus tendon in 8 of diabetic patients (17.4%) and in 2 patients (3.8%). Biceps tendinitis was detected in 10 of diabetic patients (19.0%) and in 6 of control patients (13.0%). There was a significant difference between groups in terms of frequency of calcific tendinitis, presence of supraspinatus tendon rear, and frequency of biceps tendinitis (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of our study, DM accelerates shoulder degeneration. Ultrasonography is an inexpensive and reliable imaging method that allows evaluation of shoulder problems.