Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Knee Osteoarthritis among a Sample of Geriatric People in Babil 2024

Abstract Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two distinct chronic conditions that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, there is evidence suggesting an interrelationship between the two, particularly with regard to their effects on the musculoskeletal and metabolic systems. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to study the rate of knee OA in elderly patients with type 2 DM (T2DM) in comparison to nondiabetic controls and to study the impact of DM on OA. Patients and Methods: A case–control study was conducted at the geriatric care unit in Merjan Teaching Hospital and Al-Iskenderia Hospital in Babil/Iraq. The study included 50 patients; known cases of T2DM, whose ages range between 60 and 80 years old who were randomly enrolled in the study. The control group consists of 50 patients nondiabetics, matched for age with the patients’ group. The Kellgren and Lawrence system was used to classify the severity of OA. Results: Diabetic patients had a higher rate of knee OA compared to the control group, with 84% of patients affected by OA, there was no significant correlation between OA severity and key variables such as HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, or body mass index, there was no significant association between glycemic control and OA progression. Conclusions: Old-age patients with T2DM had a higher rate of OA compared with nondiabetic controls. T2DM can be considered a predictor for the development of OA of the knee independent of age and other known risks for OA. These findings strengthen the concept of a strong metabolic component in the pathogenesis of OA.