Section : Conference Notes

Poster: Skin Manifestations Of Diabetes Mellitus (For Professionals)

Poster: Skin Manifestations Of Diabetes Mellitus (For Professionals)

  • There is no doubt diabetes is associated with skin manifestations, particularly skin infections. This study from the Middle East lists skin conditions in diabetic patients.
  • 100 patients with DM were included in the study. The average age was 57 years old.
  • Out of the patients who developed skin infections, 61.4% of patients had uncontrolled DM, whereas in the remainder of cases, the D was controlled.
  • The type of skin infections were:
  1. Bacterial (17% of cases): In 63% of cases, the bacterial organism was Staphylococcus Aureus
  2. Fungal (11% of cases)
  • The following associations were found (% of cases):
  1. Bacterial infections     (17)
  2. Fungal infections     (11)
  3. Pruritus         (5)
  4. Diabetic Dermopathy    (5)
  5. Trophic Ulcer        (2)
  6. Lichen Planus        (2)
  7. Necrobiosis Lipoidica    (1)
  8. Diabetic Bullae        (1)
  9. Vitiligo            (1)
  10. Gangrene        (1)
  • Comment: In the results section the author mentions that 67% of patients have skin manifestations, whereas in the poster (and above text), this amounts to 46%. Therefore the remaining 21% of skin conditions have not been detailed; this is even more surprising judging the fact that the elaborate methodology* suggests that the study is prospective. However the author comes to the acceptable conclusion that DM can lead to skin conditions (the absolute sugar level cannot determine the likelihood of this) and that controlled diabetes has a better chance of preventing infections.

*Detailed history, Physical Examination, Fundus Test, Lab Tests, Fungal Scrape (direct KOH examination and culture), Bacterial swab (Gram stain and culture), Histopathological examination.

Source of information: Al-Ziyoud I. Dermatological Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus in a Jordanian Cohort. 19th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV). Gothenburg (Göteborg) – Sweden (Sverige)