Here's why diabetics experience more back and neck pain

Category: Health published by Shameen published: February 23, 2019, 11:26 pm EST Update: February 23, 2019, 11:26 pm EST

Washington: According to a recent study, diabetics are more likely to suffer from back pain and neck pain than non-diabetics.

Researchers at the University of Sydney found that people with diabetes are 35% more likely to suffer lower back pain and 24% more likely to have neck pain. Their findings, based on meta-badyzes of studies evaluating the links between diabetes and the consequences of back or neck pain, were published in the journal 'PLOS ONE'.

Most adults have low back pain in their lifetime and about half suffer at some point. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is becoming more prevalent. An estimated 382 million people have type 2 diabetes, the most common form of this metabolic disease.

"Diabetes and lower back and neck pain seem to be linked one way or the other. We can not say how, but these results suggest that further research on the link is warranted, "said lead author Manuela Ferreira.

However, the reason for the pain is not completely established, the researchers said. The team conducted a meta-badysis and included eight studies.
The badysis also showed that type 2 diabetes and lower back pain are related to obesity and lack of physical activity.

"Type 2 diabetes and low back pain both have a close relationship with obesity and lack of physical activity. A logical progression of this research could therefore be to look at these factors in more detail. Our badysis adds to the evidence that weight control and physical activity play a fundamental role in maintaining health, "added Ferreira.

The study also revealed that antidiabetic medications may affect pain, possibly through its effect on blood glucose, and this relationship should also be investigated. He also recommended that health professionals consider screening for unknown diabetes in patients seeking care for neck or lower back pain.

"Neck and back pain and diabetes are afflicting more and more people. It is worthwhile to commit more resources to study their reciprocal relations. It may be that changing diabetes treatment interventions may reduce the incidence of back pain, and vice versa, "concluded co-author Paulo Ferreira.

Source: ANI