[Skin lesions in diabetic patients].
OBJECTIVE
It is yet unknown the relationship between diabetes and determinants or triggering factors of skin lesions in diabetic patients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of unreported skin lesions in diabetic patients and their relationship with metabolic control of diabetes.


METHODS
A total of 403 diabetic patients, 31% type 1 and 69% type 2, underwent dermatological examination in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The endocrine-metabolic evaluation was carried out by an endocrinologist followed by the dermatological evaluation by a dermatologist. The metabolic control of 136 patients was evaluated using glycated hemoglobin.


RESULTS
High number of dermophytosis (82.6%) followed by different types of skin lesions such as acne and actinic degeneration (66.7%), pyoderma (5%), cutaneous tumors (3%) and necrobiosis lipoidic (1%) were found. Among the most common skin lesions in diabetic patients, confirmed by histopathology, there were seen necrobiosis lipoidic (2 cases, 0.4%), diabetic dermopathy (5 cases, 1.2%) and foot ulcerations (3 cases, 0.7%). Glycated hemoglobin was 7.2% in both type 1 and 2 patients with adequate metabolic control and 11.9% and 12.7% in type 1 and 2 diabetic patients, respectively, with inadequate metabolic controls. A higher prevalence of dermatophytoses was seen in the both groups with inadequate metabolic control.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed a high prevalence of skin lesions in diabetic patients, especially dermatophytoses. Thus, poor metabolic control of diabetes increases patient's susceptibility to skin infections.
Foss
N T
NT
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. ntfoss@fmrp.usp.br
Polon
D P
DP
Takada
M H
MH
Foss-Freitas
M C
MC
Foss
M C
MC
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose