Musculoskeletal disorders in type 1 diabetes: Clinical phenotyping and associations with quality of life and glucose control - The French SFDT1 cohort study

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common, but overlooked, complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aims to describe MSD phenotypes (clinical, lifestyle, socio-economic) in adults with T1DM. Methods: We analyzed adult participants in the SFDT1 cohort study. We assessed the following MSDs: stress fractures, non-traumatic upper-limb disorders, and entrapment syndromes. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the association between MSDs and various factors. After applying multiple imputations for missing data, we computed logistic regression models with progressive adjustments on confounding factors. Results: Of 1832 participants (53 % men, median age 38 (IQR 22) years), 34 % reported at least one personal history of MSD: 8 % for stress fractures, 24 % for upper-limb disorders and 15 % for entrapment syndromes. A higher prevalence of MSDs was found in women, with aging and with diabetes duration. In a fully adjusted model, we observed a positive association between current smoking (OR [95 %CI] = 1.50 [1.14;1.97]), non-excessive alcohol consumption (1.45 [1.14;1.85]), neuropathy (1.70 [1.35;2.15]), retinopathy (1.30 [1.02;1.65]), use of automated insulin delivery systems (1.53 [1.06;2.21]) and MSDs. MSDs were associated with reduced global quality of life (0.97 [0.95;0.98]). MSDs were not associated with HbA1c, social vulnerability or physical activity. Conclusion: We have shown that MSDs are found in 1 in 3 people with T1DM. They are associated with several lifestyle factors, diabetes complications and the use of automated insulin delivery systems. MSDs should be considered in the T1DM assessment to optimize quality of life.