Research Article

Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus

Volume: 9 Number: 2 March 12, 2026

Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a well-recognized risk factor for rotator cuff pathology, yet the specific clinical and metabolic determinants of tendinopathy in this population remain poorly defined. This study aimed to identify the ultrasonographic, biochemical, and clinical factors associated with the development of supraspinatus tendinopathy among patients with diabetes. Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional study of 63 patients with diabetes mellitus. All participants underwent shoulder ultrasonography to measure supraspinatus tendon thickness and assess tendinitis. Patients were grouped according to ultrasonographic evidence of tendinitis. Demographic data, glycemic parameters [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting glucose], renal function indices [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine], lipid profiles, and diabetic complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy) were compared between groups. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were used to identify and evaluate diagnostic predictors. Results: Supraspinatus tendinopathy was present in 29 patients (46%). Compared with patients without tendinitis, affected individuals had significantly greater supraspinatus tendon thickness (7.66±1.29 vs. 6.95±1.22 mm; p=0.03), lower eGFR (p=0.005), higher serum creatinine (p=0.03), and a higher prevalence of diabetic neuropathy (65% vs. 35%; p=0.02). Although tendon thickness correlated positively with body mass index, HbA1c, and C-reactive protein, these metabolic and inflammatory markers did not differ significantly between groups. ROC analysis showed supraspinatus tendon thickness had the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.70). Conclusion: In our study, supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus was associated with tendon thickening, renal dysfunction, and neuropathy rather than glycemic or lipid measures, highlighting microvascular complications as key drivers of diabetic rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

The study was initiated with the approval of the Etlik City Hospital Clinical Researches Ethics Committee (Date: 2025, Decision No: AEŞ-BADEK1-2025-641). This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

Dear Editor, As authors, our primary wish is for this manuscript to be reviewed and considered for publication in your esteemed, reputable, and scientifically distinguished journal, with the aim of contributing meaningfully to the scientific community. Thank you for your time, consideration, and interest in our study. Canan Akkus, on behalf of the all authors.

References

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  4. Campos C. Chronic hyperglycemia and glucose toxicity: pathology and clinical sequelae. Postgrad Med. 2012;124(6):90-97. doi:10.3810/pgm. 2012.11.2615
  5. Abd-ElGawad E, Ibraheem M, Fouly E. Evaluation of supraspinatus muscle tears by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in comparison with surgical findings. Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med. 2013;44(4): 829-834. doi:10.1016/j.ejrnm.2013.08.001
  6. Douglas U, Efanga S, Ikpeme A, et al. Sonographic assessment of supraspinatus tendon thickness in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diagn Med Sonogr. 2025. doi:10.1177/87564793251380861
  7. Ranger T, Wong A, Cook J, Gaida J. Is there an association between tendinopathy and diabetes mellitus? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(16):982-U54. doi:10.1136/bjsports- 2015-094735
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

​Internal Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 12, 2026

Submission Date

December 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Akkuş, C., Sönmez, G., Kayhan, S., Kaçar, M., & Erkal, A. (2026). Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(2), 377-384. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1852255
AMA
1.Akkuş C, Sönmez G, Kayhan S, Kaçar M, Erkal A. Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(2):377-384. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1852255
Chicago
Akkuş, Canan, Gamze Sönmez, Sanem Kayhan, Mahmut Kaçar, and Ayşe Erkal. 2026. “Associations of Renal Dysfunction and Neuropathy With Supraspinatus Tendinopathy in Diabetes Mellitus”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (2): 377-84. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1852255.
EndNote
Akkuş C, Sönmez G, Kayhan S, Kaçar M, Erkal A (March 1, 2026) Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 2 377–384.
IEEE
[1]C. Akkuş, G. Sönmez, S. Kayhan, M. Kaçar, and A. Erkal, “Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 377–384, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1852255.
ISNAD
Akkuş, Canan - Sönmez, Gamze - Kayhan, Sanem - Kaçar, Mahmut - Erkal, Ayşe. “Associations of Renal Dysfunction and Neuropathy With Supraspinatus Tendinopathy in Diabetes Mellitus”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/2 (March 1, 2026): 377-384. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1852255.
JAMA
1.Akkuş C, Sönmez G, Kayhan S, Kaçar M, Erkal A. Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:377–384.
MLA
Akkuş, Canan, et al. “Associations of Renal Dysfunction and Neuropathy With Supraspinatus Tendinopathy in Diabetes Mellitus”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 377-84, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1852255.
Vancouver
1.Canan Akkuş, Gamze Sönmez, Sanem Kayhan, Mahmut Kaçar, Ayşe Erkal. Associations of renal dysfunction and neuropathy with supraspinatus tendinopathy in diabetes mellitus. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2):377-84. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1852255

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