Photo Credit: Aleksej

The following is a summary of “Does Leptin and Insulin Levels Influence Pain and Disability in Subjects With Frozen Shoulder? A Cross-Sectional Study,” published in the March 2025 issue of European Journal of Pain by Pérez-Montilla et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to investigate the association between leptin levels, insulin resistance (measured by HOMA), and clinical outcomes related to pain, disability, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) in individuals with frozen shoulders (FS).  

They assessed 34 individuals diagnosed with FS. Leptin and insulin resistance (measured by HOMA) levels were analyzed in relation to pain and disability using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and shoulder ROM (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal/external rotation). Linear regression models assessed associations between leptin, HOMA, and clinical outcomes, adjusting for age and sex.  

The results showed that higher leptin levels were linked to increased SPADI pain scores (R² = 0.114, β = 0.397, P = 0.005) and disability scores (R² = 0.110, β = 0.425, P= 0.006). Leptin also had an inverse association with shoulder flexion (R² = 0.074, β = −1.088, P = 0.025), indicating reduced ROM. Similarly, higher insulin resistance (measured by HOMA) correlated with increased SPADI pain (R² = 0.096, β = 1.078, P = 0.010), disability (R²= 0.081, β = 1.517, P = 0.017), and combined SPADI scores (R² = 0.089, β = 2.595, P = 0.014), HOMA also showed an inverse relationship with shoulder flexion (R² = 0.061, β = −2.097, P = 0.028), suggesting insulin resistance may contribute to ROM limitations.  

Investigators concluded that elevated leptin and insulin resistance correlated with increased pain, disability, and reduced ROM in patients with FS, suggesting metabolic and inflammatory involvement and the potential benefit of lifestyle interventions. 

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.70007