Trigger finger is associated with risk of incident cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

IntroductionTrigger finger is one of the complications affecting the upper extremity in patients with diabetes. Diabetes is also a well-known risk factor that predisposes individuals to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This retrospective cohort study aimed to establish the association between trigger finger and the patients with incident CVD with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methodsTrigger finger was diagnosed by palpating a thickened tendon during flexion or on the manifestation of a locking phenomenon during extension or flexion of either finger. The relationship between trigger finger and other clinical parameters or complications of diabetes was examined by a comparative analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between trigger finger and incidence of CVD. We calculated the propensity scores using sex, body mass index, age, smoking status, duration of diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hemoglobin A1c as the number of patients with incident CVD during the follow-up period was low.ResultsAmong the 399 patients with type 2 diabetes, 54 patients had trigger finger. Patients with trigger finger were significantly older in age and had been suffering from diabetes for a longer duration. They also displayed worse renal function and glycemic control, along with a higher incidence of hypertension, neuropathy and nephropathy. During the average 5.66±1.12 years of follow-up, a total of 18 incidents occurred. According to the Cox regression analysis, trigger finger was shown to be associated with enhanced risk of the incidence of CVD after adjustment for the covariates (adjusted HR=3.33 (95% CI 1.25 to 8.66), p=0.017).ConclusionsTrigger finger is associated with the risk of incident CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, clinicians must consider these factors at the time of diagnosis of such patients.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in type-2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a North-Eastern city of India—A cross-sectional observational study

“…[ 17 ] One of the previous research papers indicated that the trigger finger is related to the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. [ 18 ] Diagnosis of trigger finger is relatively easy and noninvasive.…”

Health-related factors and dysregulation of epigenetic related genes in metabolic syndrome trigger finger patients and smoker trigger finger patients: preliminary analysis of patient-derived sample

“…In the results section, our findings suggest that the presence of hypertension in patients, along with trigger finger, escalate the pain level. Previous studies found that hypertension can lead to inflammation and the deposition of collagen in the tendons, which may lead to pain [ 30 ].…”

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments of Stenosing Tenosynovitis

“…Genes, including KLHL1 and POLE2, could be a possible reason for stenosing tenosynovitis [5]. Diabetic individuals have a higher rate of stenosing tenosynovitis incidence, especially among type 2 diabetes patients [6][7][8][9]. People with diabetes have stenosing tenosynovitis between 4 and 29 percent and are thought to account for around one-third of all stenosing tenosynovitis cases [6].…”

“…On rare occasions, a perceptible lump could be experienced moving along the segment with finger flexion and extension [15]. The most important clinical finding is a brief obstruction of the digit during flexion, followed by painful snapping during extension [16][17]. Localized soreness is present around the neck of the metacarpal, and when the digits are moved [15].…”

“…(1) Orthoses An orthosis could immobilize a single joint in order to avoid triggering. As a result, patients with stenosing tenosynovitis can significantly reduce discomfort and enhance the function of daily activities [13,[17][18].…”