Prevalence of Frozen Shoulder amongst Diabetic Patients in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Frozen shoulder (FS) is a common fibroproliferative condition characterised by pain and mobility loss, often associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to determine the prevalence of FS amongst diabetic patients in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This study is a web-based, descriptive and cross-sectional study. The data were obtained through an online questionnaire directed at patients with DM in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 385 responses were collected, but only 378 met the inclusion criteria. Amongst the participants, 35.7% were 41–50 years old and 53.2% were women. Most of the participants (84.1%) had type 2 DM for 11–15 years and more than half (58.5%) were taking insulin for DM management. Amongst the participants, 9.8% were diagnosed with FS disease, 25.1% reported having difficulty with shoulder movement and 38.1% reported having shoulder pain. Although FS was more prevalent amongst individuals aged 41–50 years, no significant correlation was observed with age or other variables ( P > 0.05). Conversely, difficulty with shoulder movement and shoulder pain were significantly more frequent in patients aged 51–60 years and those with a diabetes duration of over 20 years ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study identifies a significant presence of shoulder morbidity amongst diabetic patients in Makkah, particularly those with advanced age and long-term type 2 diabetes. These findings underscore the need for integrating musculoskeletal screening into routine diabetic care to facilitate early intervention. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and biochemical markers to better understand the progression and predictors of adhesive capsulitis in this high-risk population.