AccScience Publishing / JCTR / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/JCTR026150024
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Frequency and associated factors of upper limb musculoskeletal disorder among Bangladeshi diabetic population: A facility-based multicentered cross-sectional study

Avijit Sarker Jyoti1,2,3* ,  Suvarthy Dey1 ,  Sonia Sarmin4 ,  Abdullah Al Masud1 ,  Md. Abdullah Al Jubaer5 ,  Kazi Nusrat Zahan Bristy6 ,  Chandrima Halder7 ,  Tasnim Mostafa8 ,  Sheikh Sophia Shaubnaum9
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1 Division of Research and Advancement , Dream USMLE
2 Department of Medicine, Mugda Medical College, Dhaka , Bangladesh
3 Department of Medicine, University of South Asia, Dhaka , Bangladesh
4 Department of Medicine, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka , Bangladesh
5 Department of Medicine, Enam Medical College, Dhaka , Bangladesh
6 Department of Medicine, Khulna Medical College, Khulna , Bangladesh
7 Department of Medicine, Army Medical College Chattogram, Chattogram , Bangladesh
8 Department of Medicine, Green Life Medical College, Dhaka , Bangladesh
9 Department of Medicine, Cumilla Medical College, Cumilla , Bangladesh
JCTR, 026150024 https://doi.org/10.36922/JCTR026150024
Received: 10 April 2026 | Revised: 30 July 2026 | Accepted: 5 August 2026 | Published online: 9 September 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal complications are now being acknowledged as significant but overlooked complications of diabetes mellitus, leading to disability and poor quality of life. Yet, there is a scarcity of research on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (ULMSDs) in diabetic patients in Bangladesh. Aim: Our study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of ULMSDs among Bangladeshi adults with diabetes. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted among 363 adult diabetic patients from multiple health care facilities in Bangladesh. Information on socio-demographic and lifestyle-related factors, clinical profile, comorbidities, and common ULMSDs was gathered through face-to-face interviews and physical examination. Prevalence was calculated using descriptive statistics, and binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors associated with ULMSDs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were adjusted for. Results: The prevalence of ULMSDs was 57.6%. The most prevalent ULMSDs were diabetic hand syndrome (44.9%), adhesive capsulitis (38.8%), rotator cuff tendinitis (38.0%), and carpal tunnel syndrome (37.2%) respectively. Severe physical inactivity was significantly associated with ULMSDs (p = 0.03). Longer duration of diabetes (more than 10 years) was associated with an increased risk of ULMSDs (p = 0.01). Diabetic neuropathy (OR = 2.06, p = 0.031), diabetes control by lifestyle modification only (OR = 3.93, p = 0.03), and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05) were also significant predictors in our study. Conclusion: ULMSDs are common in Bangladeshi adults with diabetes. Periodic screening and holistic clinical and epidemiological approaches are needed to enhance the quality of life. Relevance for patients: Integrating upper limb musculoskeletal screening into diabetes care may improve function, reduce disability, and enhance quality of life.

Keywords
Diabetes mellitus
Musculoskeletal disorders
Upper limb
Bangladesh
Funding
This study received no external funding. It was a self-funded study, and the authors personally covered all expenses for data collection, data management, expert consultation, and statistical analysis throughout the research.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, Electronic ISSN: 2424-810X Print ISSN: 2382-6533, Published by AccScience Publishing
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