Does diabetes affect functional outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty?

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess whether diabetes affects functional and physical outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty Methods A cohort of 140 patients were tested preoperatively, at an early follow-up visit (between 3-6 months) and at late follow-up visit (between 1-3 years) following shoulder arthroplasty. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form measured shoulder pain and function and the Short-Form-12 (SF-12) measured physical health status. Shoulder goniometry and dynamometry were used to assess motion and strength. Diabetic status was self-reported. Results There were significant improvements in function and physical health status for both diabetic and nondiabetic patients at the late follow-up visit. For patients with diabetes, shoulder function (ASES: 0-30) improved from 5 (5) to 18 (6) scores (p < 0.001) and physical health status improved from 27 (6) to 38 (8) scores (p < 0.001). For patients without diabetes, shoulder function improved from 8 (5) to 19 (8) scores (p < 0.001) and physical health status improved from 31 (8) to 40 (12) scores (p < 0.001). No significant differences between diabetic and nondiabetic patients was detected at the late follow-up. Conclusion Patients with diabetes achieve large clinical benefits from shoulder arthroplasty, with follow-up outcomes equally positive to those without diabetes. Future prospective studies with a larger sample size of patients with diabetes are needed to confirm the results of this study. Level of evidence II