Publication:

A study of cutaneous manifestations in diabetes mellitus patients in tertiary care centre

Background Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder with increased prevalence in developing countries like India. It affects almost all organs among which skin is affected by the acute metabolic derangments as well as by chronic degenerative complications. The aims were to study the pattern of cutaneous lesions in patients with diabetes mellitus and to determine the incidence of skin manifestations specific to and associated with diabetics.

Methods Hundred cases of diabetes mellitus with cutaneous manifestations attending skin outpatient department and other patients admitted in medical wards were included in the study.

Results The common skin disorders were cutaneous manifestations (67%), dermatosis more commonly associated with diabetes (36%), neuropathic and ischemic diabetic skin disease (11%).

Conclusions Most common cutaneous manifestation was cutaneous infections followed by dermatosis more commonly associated with diabetes. Among cutaneous infections fungal infections were more common followed by bacterial infections. Cutaneous infections were more common in patients with poor glycaemic control and the association was found to be statistically significant.