Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus: a study from Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To assess the spectrum of cutaneous changes in diabetes mellitus in Lahore, Pakistan. Design; Prospective clinical study with follow up of 4 months. Setting; Medical outdoor and indoor, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Subjects: One hundred adult patients of any age and either sex suffering from diabetes mellitus. Main outcome measures: Cutaneous manifestations. Of 100 patients, skin changes were found in 96% of patients [P<0.00001]. The most frequent finding was the cutaneous infections [55%]. Other common findings included tingling and burning of feet [45%], sweating disorders [26%], tartar deposits [24%], gingivitis [22%], diabetic dermopathy [18%], generalized pruritus [15%], localized pruritus [15%] and thickened skin [12%]. Less common manifestations were nail disorders [11%], skin tags [10%], cherry angiomas [7%], vitiligo [5%], foot ulceration [5%] and burning mouth [5%] Rare features were insulin complications [3%], xanthelasma palpebrarum [3%], amputation toe [3%], callus and fissures over feet [2%], syndrome of limited joint mobility and waxy skin [2%] and eruptive xanthomas [2%]. Conclusions: There is significantly increased prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in our diabetic patients [p<0.00001]