Association of Diabetes with Musculoskeletal Pain of the Upper Quadrant in Housewives of Lahore

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common yet under-recognized complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic patients, particularly housewives, are prone to upper quadrant musculoskeletal discomfort due to physical strain and poor glycemic control.Objective: To determine the association between diabetes and musculoskeletal pain in the upper quadrant among housewives in Lahore.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 162 diabetic housewives aged 30-60 years. Participants were recruited using non-probability convenient sampling from four hospitals in Lahore. Data were collected through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SPSS version 27 was used for data analysis, with Chi-square tests applied to assess associations. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of participants was 47.26 ± 7.57 years. Shoulder pain was reported at 39.5%, neck pain at 23.5%, and upper back pain by 13.6%. 61.1% experienced moderate pain, while 17.9% had severe pain. A significant association was found between diabetes and musculoskeletal pain (p < 0.001).Conclusion: There is a strong association between T2DM and upper quadrant musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the shoulder. Early detection and management are essential to prevent chronic MSK conditions.