Is there an association between diabetes and neck and back pain? A systematic review with meta-analyses

Abstract

Background and objective Approximately half of the population will experience either low back pain or neck pain, at some point in their lives. Previous studies suggest that people with diabetes are more likely to present with chronic somatic pain, including shoulder, knee and spinal pain. This study aimed to systematically review and appraise the literature to explore the magnitude as well as the nature of the association between diabetes and back, neck, or spinal (back and neck) pain. Databases and data treatment A systematic search was performed using the Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science electronic databases. Studies which assessed the association between diabetes and back or neck pain outcomes, in participants older than 18 years of age were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data on the incidence of pain and reported associations. Results Eight studies were included in the meta-analyses. Meta-analyses showed that people with diabetes are more likely to report low back pain [5 studies; n: 131,431; odds ratio (OR): 1.35; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.20 to 1.52; p<0.001] and neck pain (2 studies; n: 6,560; OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.47; p = 0.01) compared to those without diabetes. Results from one longitudinal cohort study suggested that diabetes is not associated with the risk of developing future neck, low back or spinal pain. Conclusions Diabetes is associated with low back and neck individually, and spinal pain. The longitudinal analysis showed no association between the conditions. Our results suggest that diabetes co-exists with back pain; however, a direct causal link between diabetes and back pain was not established. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration CRD42016050738 .

Low health-related quality of life is strongly linked to upper extremity impairments in type 1 diabetes with a long duration

“…To our knowledge, no connection to common conditions such as low neck pain, low back pain, and spinal pain has been reported. According to a recent meta-analysis, these conditions may be more prevalent in diabetes but the results are not entirely concordant [31]. Additionally in a review article by Lebiedz-Odrobina and Kay, they concluded that shoulder and hand impairments are more prevalent than other musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes [2].…”

Does diabetes influence the probability of experiencing chronic low back pain? A population-based cohort study: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

“…In the main analyses, all variables adjusted for were regarded as categorical. Initial analyses involved adjustment for age only, and adjustment was then added for other factors known to affect both the risk of LBP and diabetes, as BMI,11 16 31 physical activity in leisure time12 13 and smoking 14 15. Separate tests were carried out for interaction between diabetes and each factor adjusted for.…”

“…Few epidemiological studies have looked at relations between diabetes and back pain 16. In a recently published study, women who experienced chronic LBP were found to have an increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes in the subsequent 11-year interval 17.…”

Is There an Association between Diabetes and Neck and Back Pain? Results of a Case-Control Study

“…The challenge to the health system and health care providers is not the only the diabetes itself but also its related complications and comorbidities [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a frequent comorbid condition of diabetes [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Similar to diabetes, low back and neck pain also represent prevalent and disabling conditions which have shown a 19% increase in rate of prevalence and years living with disability from 2005 to 2015 [ 12 ].…”