Frequency of Skin Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of different Skin Manifestations in people with type II Diabetes Mellitus who visit a tertiary care unit in Karachi, Pakistan.METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat College of Medical & Dentistry & Darul-Sehat Hospital Karachi from July to Nov 2023.A total of 200 patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus, attending endocrine & dermatology OPD, were enrolled in this study by using consecutive, non -probability sampling techniques.Demographic parameters were noted.Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.RESULTS: Two hundred type II Diabetes Mellitus patients (125 Females and 75 Males) were enrolled in the current study.The mean Age of the patients was 49.62± 10 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was between 6.74± 5.55 years.115 out of 200 (57.5%)patients showed some skin manifestations.The skin manifestations observed were: Infections (bacterial/fungal) (17.38%),Ulcer & gangrene of foot (6.08%), Pruritis (13.33%),Diabetic dermopathy (10.42%),Foot swelling (7.81), Thick and scaly skin (8.68%), Pigmentation including shin spots (7.81%), Cellulitis (6.07%), Acanthosis nigricans (5.2%), Yellow nails (5.2%), Skin tags(3.46%),Psoriasis (3.46%).CONCLUSION: Participants having Diabetes Mellitus type II are found to have a high frequency of skin manifestations (57.5%).The ratio for females was higher than for males.The majority of participants had only one skin manifestation.A noteworthy association was found between higher HbA1c levels (8.1 to 14%) & the presence of cutaneous manifestations.