Cheiroarthropathy is a syndrome usually associated with diabetes mellitus that involves mainly the small joints of the hand. It is generally painless and seldom treated until hand deformity is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Because cheiroarthropathy is correlated with microvascular complications of diabetes, patients with hand symptoms should be carefully investigated for neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Improved control of diabetes is the cornerstone of management, but surgery and corticosteroid injection may alleviate severe symptoms in some patients.

The incidence of IDDM among the European-derived population in Edmonton between 1990 and 1995 is the highest rate over a 6-year period to be reported in North America, comparable to that in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and to the highest rates in the world.