| Abstract: | The study aimed at elaborating the technique of an early diagnosis of cheiroarthropathy. The study involved 170 patients with diabetes mellitus type I aged between 16 and 45 years and disease duration ranging from 1 year to 33 years. Advanced cheiroarthropathy with shining waxy skin was diagnosed in 41 patients (group I). No lesions characteristic for cheiroarthropathy was diagnosed in 122 patients (group II) while in 7 patients (group III) only skin lesions without contractures were noted. Proliferative retinopathy was significantly more frequent (p less than 0.001) in the group with cheiroarthropathy--39% to 8%. Mean age of patients of group I is 31.5 +/- 5.9 years, in group II--31.0 +/- 6.6 years. Duration of diabetes mellitus is 17.8 +/- 6.2 and 9.6 +/- 7.2 years respectively (p less than 0.05). An angle of metacarpophalangeal joint of the V finger extension was measured in all patients with goniometer. A significant difference was noted in both groups: 34.4 +/- 8.08 degrees and 56.5 +/- 7.1 degrees, respectively (p less than 0.01). Mathematic models were designed basing on the value of measured angle and duration of the disease. These models facilitate possible risk of cheiroarthropathy. Systematic measurements of metacarpophalangeal joint extension seems valuable means of early diagnosis of diabetic cheiroarthropathy and follow-up of such patients. |
