Dermatological manifestations in diabetes mellitus

Authors : Roby Bose, Sunil Kumar

DOI : 10.18231/j.ijced.2020.028

Volume : 6

Issue : 2

Year : 2020

Page No : 136-144

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the common endocrine disorder, which affects all ages and
socioeconomic groups. The prolonged hyperglycemia may responsible for the diabetic complications.
Multiple factors contribute to the onset of cutaneous manifestations in diabetes mellitus. The present study
aimed to study the pattern of various cutaneous manifestations associated with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at Dermatology, Diabetic Clinic of a teaching
tertiary care centre hospital. A total of 120 subjects were included in this study. Patients were selected
on the basis of dermatological signs and/or symptoms. Detailed history and clinical examination with
special emphasis on dermatological complaints and signs was done for all the study subjects. Under aseptic
conditions, blood samples were collected and used for the estimation of blood glucose, bacterial infections-
Gram stain and isolation of organism by culture, fungal infections- KOH (potassium hydroxide) mount,
Gram stain (for Candida) and isolation of organism by culture. Skin biopsies were performed wherever
necessary.
Results: In the present study, 120 subjects were included from both genders. Pruritus was the predominant
symptom observed. Acrochordons, Candidial Balanoposthitis, Tinea Corporis were observed in highest
number of patients. Infective dermatoses were observed in 72 (60%) patients. The non-infective dermatoses
was reported in 56 (46.7%) patients. On bacterial culture, Pyogenic Ulcer was observed in 4. KOH test and
culture were carried on 14 candidal infections and 17 dermatophyte infection and observed KOH mount
positive were observed in 11 cases and culture positive was observed in 8 cases.
Conclusion: In the present study results indicates pruritus was the most common symptom in diabetic
subjects. Infective dermatoses were more common than the non-infective dermatoses. Tinea corporis/cruris
was most common clinical entity. 21.6% patients suffered from cutaneous bacterial infections, the most
frequently encountered clinical entity being furunculosis. Staphylococcus aureus The commonest noninfective
clinical entity was acrochordons (skin tags). Patients with diabetes may develop cutaneous
manifestations of diabetic complications. Careful dermatological examination and follow-up of diabetes
mellitus patients is required to provide them adequate skin management.

Keywords: Acrochordons, Cutaneous manifestations, Dermatoses.


Citation Data