Musculoskeletal disorders and their associated factors among individuals with diabetes mellitus in northwest Nigeria

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing public health problem causing a significant amount of disability and mortality in Nigeria. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common complications associated with DM. However, studies on the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors are limited in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSDs and their associated factors among individuals with DM in northwest, Nigeria. Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey of medical case records of all consecutive patients with DM attending a diabetic clinic in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria was conducted between February 2015 and September 2021. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables was collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Results: Four hundred eighty-nine cases (170 men [34.8%], 319 females [65.2%]; mean age: 51.4 +/- 12.3 years) were analysed. The majority of the participants had type 2 DM (96.7%), with a mean DM duration of 7.02 +/- 5.05 years. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 32.7%, with the highest prevalence found for lumbosacral spondylosis (11%) followed by knee osteoarthritis (8.4%). Among the different potential predictors examined, only duration of DM was significantly associated with overall MSDs (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.04-2.98; p = 0.035) whereas both duration of DM (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.19-5.89; p = 0.018) and body mass index (AOR: 7.461, 95% CI: 1.33-43.8; p = 0.023) were significantly associated with lumbosacral spondylosis. Conclusions: Approximately one-third of the study participants had MSDs, with lumbosacral spondylosis being the most frequently occurring disorder. Being obese and having a longer duration of DM were associated with MSDs. Clinicians in Nigeria need to pay attention to MSDs and related factors in DM patients by conducting routine assessments and implementing early treatment.