The Relationship between Increased HbA1c Levels and the Severity of Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at Haji Medan General Hospital

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to the inability of pancreatic β-cells to produce sufficient insulin or due to reduced insulin receptor sensitivity, resulting in suboptimal glucose metabolism. One of the musculoskeletal complications that can occur in patients with diabetes mellitus is osteoarthritis. This study employed a descriptive-analytical method with a cross-sectional approach. Sampling was conducted using non-probability sampling with a quota sampling technique, resulting in a sample of 90 respondents who were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and knee osteoarthritis. The results showed that 51 patients (57%) had moderate HbA1c levels, while 39 patients (43%) were in the poor category. Based on the severity of knee osteoarthritis, 24 patients (27%) had Grade I, 43 patients (48%) had Grade II, and 23 patients (25%) had Grade III. Data analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation test. The test results showed a relationship between increased HbA1c levels and the severity of knee osteoarthritis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (p=0.029; p0.05), with a correlation strength classified as weak (r=0.230).