Hand functions among individuals with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus / Julia Ahmad Kamal

Hand functions are important for functional activities which is depended on the good sensory function, joint mobility, muscle strength, and manual dexterity. Previous studies revealed that diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) presented with decreased sensation, limited joint mobility of the hand, and low muscle strength including both hand and pinch strength as compared to the healthy individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DPN on hand functions among patientswith type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eighty-four T2DM patients with DPN, 84 T2DM patients without DPN, and 84 healthy controls participated in this cross-sectional study. The sensory function was assessed using the 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The wrist and finger joint's mobility were assessed using a goniometer, and grip and pinch strength was measured using the JAMAR hydraulic dynamometer and pinch gauge. The nine-hole peg test was used to assess dexterity. The Jebsen hand function test was used to assess hand's functional activities during the performance of activities of daily living (ADL). The KruskalWallis test was used to analyse the data parameters. There were significant differences in the magnitude of sensory function, joint mobility, grip and pinchstrength, manual dexterity, and hand function duringADL (p< 0.05). T2DM patients with DPN demonstrated deficits in sensory function, joint mobility, grip and pinch strength and manual dexterity as compared to the T2DM patients without DPN and healthy control participants. The study showed that hand functions were affected in T2DM patients with DPN. Investigation of the association between DM with and without DPN would shed light on the better understanding of the hand function performance in this population.Further investigations are alsowarranted to explore the impact of DPN on the muscle activity related to the performance of hand functions in T2DM patients with DPN.