Effect of Diabetes Duration on Dominant and Non-Dominant Hand Dexterity in Middle-Aged Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Manual dexterity is crucial for daily activities and occupational tasks requiring fine motor control. Diabetes mellitus can negatively affect hand function owing to factors such as abnormal collagen cross-linking, muscle glycosylation, and peripheral neuropathy. While extensive research has focused on diabetes-related foot complications, few studies have examined their effects on hand dexterity, particularly in middle-aged individuals. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the impact of diabetes duration on manual dexterity and compare the functional differences between the dominant and non-dominant hands in middle-aged adults. Methodology: An observational analytical study was conducted on 90 diabetic individuals aged 40–60 years divided into three groups based on disease duration: <5 years, 5–10 years, and >10 years. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, followed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Manual dexterity in diabetes between 40-60 years revealed a significant difference(p-0.001). According to chronicity, individuals with <5 years(p-0.002) and 5-10years (p-0.001) of diabetes also revealed significant differences, except for individuals with >10years of age (p-0.057). The mean difference between dominant and non-dominant individuals with chronicity was also significant difference (p-0.001). Conclusion: Diabetes significantly impaired manual dexterity, with the non-dominant hand being more affected. The severity of impairment increases with disease duration, but after 10 years, the difference between the hands diminishes. Early assessment and targeted interventions may help to preserve hand function in individuals with diabetes. Key words: manual dexterity, diabetes mellitus, nine-hole peg test, motor impairment.