Skin manifestations in diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of skin manifestations in diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
A prospective observational study was performed on 320 patients (174 males and 146 females) attending the diabetic clinic. A detailed dermatological examination was carried out by a consultant dermatologist and the cutaneous findings were recorded.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of skin manifestations was 91.2%. Cutaneous lesions were seen in 12 patients (34.3%) of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 280 (98.2%) of type 2 diabetics. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in skin manifestations between type 1 and type 2 DM patients. For those patients having diabetes of less than 5 years' duration, the incidence of skin manifestations was 80.6%; for those having had diabetes for more than 5 years, the incidence was 98%. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The skin manifestations that had a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in prevalence between the 2 durational groups were gangrene, diabetic dermopathy, paresthesia, diabetic feet, diabetic bullae and fungal infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetics had a greater prevalence of skin manifestations in type 2 than type 1, and as the duration of diabetes increased, the likelihood of developing skin manifestations also increased. Early referral to the dermatologist may help to detect complications of the skin in diabetes at an early stage and may prevent disability caused by these complications.
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. shahzad.derm @ gmail.com
Muhammad
M
Shahzad
Ahmad
A
Al Robaee
Hani A
HA
Al Shobaili
Abdullateef A
AA
Alzolibani
Abdullah A
AA
Al Marshood
Barakat
B
Al Moteri
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult