Background
Skin manifestations in diabetes mellitus (DM) are quite common. Skin changes can
manifest in the prediabetic stage, in the acute metabolic situation and in the late diabetic
degenerative stage.
Objective
To study the prevalence and the pattern of cutaneous manifestations among diabetic patients
to aid in better management of diabetic skin diseases.
Patients and methods
One hundred patients with DM having at least one skin manifestation were selected and
subjected to a detailed dermatological and systemic examination, and the findings were
recorded. Blood samples were obtained for random blood glucose level.
Results
The most prevalent findings were cutaneous infections (40%), followed by pruritus (11%),
local reactions at the site of insulin injection (8%), vitiligo (8%), diabetic dermopathy (7%),
periungual telangectasia (6%), and xanthelasma (5%). The prevalence of skin manifestations
was higher as the duration of diabetes increased and was more in type II than in type I
diabetic patients.
Conclusion
The early detection of skin manifestations in DM is of prime importance to be able to avoid
and/or properly manage the complications and prevent disability