Publication:

Study of cutaneous manifestations of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with several disorders and microvascular, macrovascular and neuropathic complications. Multiple factors play a role in the manifestations of cutaneous signs of DM. The prevalence of a cutaneous disorder appears to be similar between Type 1 DM and Type 2 DM patients, but Type 2 DM patients develop more frequent cutaneous infections, and Type 1 DM patients manifest more autoimmune-type  cutaneous lesions. The objective of the study was to assess the various cutaneous manifestations of Type 2 DM and the relation of cutaneous manifestations with the duration of Type 2 DM.

Methods All patients of Type 2 DM, of age group 20 and above, of both sexes, attending   OPD or IPD at Dr. D. Y. Patil  Hospital, Kolhapur  willing to give written informed consent, were included for the study between August 2014 – July 2016. Complete history and examination of all the patients with regards to onset of cutaneous manifestations was taken.

Results Majority (49%) of respondents were in the age group of 41 to 60 years, and majority (66%) were males. 57.5% were new cases and 42.5% were known cases. Duration of illness- majority 50.58% were <5 years, 27.05% in 6 to 10 years. In present study there were 61% who had infectious skin manifestations and 39% who had non-infectious skin manifestations. Out of infectious manifestations 39.5% had fungal infection.

Conclusions Therefore on the basis of present study, we conclude that the skin is involved in DM quite often. The manifestations are numerous and varied and many a times they can serve as diagnostic marker for underlying DM. Whenever patients present with multiple skin manifestations, their diabetic status should be checked. The recognition of these skin findings is the key to treatment and prevention.