The Association between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients in Baghdad Medical City

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of knee  osteoarthritis  in  Iraqi  patients  with  type  2  diabetes  mellitus  in comparison to non-diabetic controls. 
Patient  and  methods:  A  case  control  study  was  conducted  on  50 patients; known cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, whose ages range between 40 - 70 years old were randomly enrolled in the study. Another group consists of 50 patients non diabetics, matched for age with the patients’  group,  and  was  kept  as  control.  Only  diabetic  group  was subjected to measurement of fasting blood sugar and HbA1c was done for patients’ group to evaluate glycemic control. X-ray of the weight bearing bilateral knee joints were obtained from antero-posterior aspect. The Kellgren and Lawrence system was used to classify the severity of osteoarthritis using five grades. Quality of life and disease impact was assessed  by  using  Western  Ontario  and  McMaster  Universities Osteoarthritis Index.  
Results : The current study revealed that 25% of Iraqi diabetic type 2 patients had osteoarthritis and grade 1 of Kellgren Lawrence System was equal in both groups (34%) while grade 2 and 3 were higher in diabetic group  (40%,  10%)  respectively  and  (22%,  4%)  in  control  group. Conclusion
●   Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis  
      Compared with non-diabetic controls although statistically was not significant.  
●    Type 2 DM can be considered as a predictor for the development of OA 
       of  the knee independent of age and other known risks for OA.