Early subclinical limited axial and large joint flexibility in type 1 diabetes mellitus adolescents

Abstract 

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare the axial and large joint mobility in adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).

Patient and methods

To check this relationship, 72 DM1 adolescents aged 9–20 years were admitted into the trial and compared with 46 healthy control subjects aged 10–18 years. The youths were compared with regard to anthropometrics (age, proportion female/male, weight, height, and BMI) data. The years from DM1 diagnosis and HbA_1c (index) were 4.9±3.6 years and 1.40±0.39%, respectively. The values of the tests of flexibility of the movements of cervical joint, the abduction of scapular, wrist and back-lumbar joints and abduction of lame-femoral were obtained through the Fleximeter.

Results

The DM1 patients and controls did not differ regarding age (DM1 median 16, range 9–20 years vs. controls 16, range 10–18 years) and BMI (DM1 mean±S.D. 21.49±3.69 kg/m² vs. controls 20.76±2.81 kg/m²). The scapular, back-lumbar, and lame-femoral flexibility were, respectively, significantly lower (P<.001) in DM1 adolescents (175±8°, 107±4°, 66±10°) compared with controls (189±13, 116±14, 76±12), but the cervical joint mobility was the same in both groups (DM1: 98±l2° vs. control: 101±13°).

Conclusion

Thus, the results of our study show a subclinical limited axial and large joint mobility in DM1 adolescents. Future prospective studies are needed to ascertain whether the joint limitations found in these DM1 adolescents will persist into adulthood and play a role in the development of other diabetic complications.

Keywords:  Physical activity, DM1, Joint mobility, Exercise