Introduction More than 2% of the general population is reported to be affected by adhesive capsulitis. The incidence is greater in patients with diabetes than in the general population for both IDDM and NIDDM. This study sought to test the hypotheses that diabetes does not have an effect on outcome and does not contribute to morbidity.

Materials and methods Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing medical records from 1996 to 2005. A total of 148 case notes were evaluated to identify patients with a diagnosis of frozen shoulder who underwent MUA ± arthroscopy ± release. Twenty-two patients (22 shoulders), 12 of whom had diabetes, agreed to participate and were included. The diabetic and non-diabetic groups were broadly comparable with respect to demographic characteristics. Invited patients were asked to assess current physical function and symptoms by completing a shortened version of the DASH outcome measure questionnaire prior to attending the clinic and a further questionnaire detailing pre-op symptoms. Physical function was assessed and calculated using the Constant score system.

Results The median pre-operative DASH score was 72.73 in the diabetic group and 71.00 in the non-diabetic group (difference 2.3%). The median post-operative DASH score was 27.27 in the diabetic group and 28.86 in the non-diabetic group (difference 5.51%). The median postoperative Constant score was 60.00 in the diabetic group and 59.50 in the non-diabetic group (difference 0.83%).

Conclusion The pre- and post-operative DASH results and post-operative Constant score showed little difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. While giving due cognisance to the small number of patients included and the retrospective design of the study, the results support the hypothesis that diabetes does not have an effect on outcome following MUA or arthroscopy for adhesive capsulitis and does not contribute to morbidity.