Article

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus frequently show complications in
feet and hands. However, the literature has mostly focused on foot complications.
The disease can affect the strength and dexterity of the hands, thereby reducing
function. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on
identifying the existing evidence on how type 2 diabetes mellitus affects hand
strength, dexterity and function. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE via PubMed,
CINHAL, Scopus and Web of Science, and the Cochrane central register of
controlled trials for reports of studies of grip and pinch strength as well as
hand dexterity and function evaluated by questionnaires comparing patients with
type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls that were published between 1990
and 2017. Data are reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean
difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among 2077 records
retrieved, only 7 full-text articles were available for meta-analysis. For both
the dominant and non-dominant hand, type 2 diabetes mellitus negatively affected
grip strength (SMD: -1.03; 95% CI: -2.24 to 0.18 and -1.37, -3.07 to 0.33) and
pinch strength (-1.09, -2.56 to 0.38 and -1.12, -2.73 to 0.49), although not
significantly. Dexterity of the dominant hand did not differ between diabetes and
control groups but was poorer for the non-dominant hand, although not
significantly. Hand function was worse for diabetes than control groups in 2
studies (MD: -8.7; 95% CI: -16.88 to -1.52 and 4.69, 2.03 to 7.35). CONCLUSION:
This systematic review with meta-analysis suggested reduced hand function,
specifically grip and pinch strength, for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus
versus healthy controls. However, the sample size for all studies was low. Hence,
we need studies with adequate sample size and randomized controlled trials to
provide statistically significant results.
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Langue : ANGLAIS