title: Skin, a mirror reflecting diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study in a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common of the endocrine disorders. Mucocutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus are many and vary from trivial to life-threatening. Sometimes, mucocutaneous disorders may herald the onset of diabetes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the pattern of mucocutaneous manifestations in diabetics and role of it in diagnosing diabetes mellitus and its complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a longitudinal observational study of patients having diabetes with skin complaints attending skin outdoor department or admitted in wards for any reason in a tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 300 patients were included in the study. Detailed history, clinical examination, and relevant investigations were done to diagnose the mucocutaneous disorders, diabetes, and diabetic complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data was analyzed by using Epi info software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic profile shown majority of cases (78.66%) in more than 40 years of age with almost equal male and female preponderance. Mucocutaneous manifestations as presenting feature of diabetes were observed in 21.67% cases. Infections were most common in 119 (39.66%) cases, followed by acanthosis nigricans in 46 (15.33%) cases. Various associated complications like hypertension, retinopathy, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and diabetic ketoacidosis were observed in 160 (53.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin is the mirror, which reflects internal diseases; this aptly applies to skin and diabetes mellitus. Through awareness about cutaneous manifestations of DM, dermatologist can not only take credit for detecting DM but also facilitate early diagnosis of systemic complications of DM. This is immensely beneficial to patients in long run.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Medical College and SSG Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
authors: Roshni
authors: R
authors: Vahora
authors: Sejal
authors: S
authors: Thakkar
authors: Yogesh
authors: Y
authors: Marfatia
keywords: Mucocutaneous manifestations; diabetes mellitus skin- the mirror
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2002 Mar-Apr;68(2):67-72
references: 17656880
references: Diabetes Care. 1998 Apr;21(4):506-9
references: 9571332
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1996 Jul-Aug;62(4):222-5
references: 20948059
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1997 Jul-Aug;63(4):232-4
references: 20944338
references: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003 May;17(3):280-4
references: 12702065
references: Med Princ Pract. 2006;15(6):427-30
references: 17047349
references: J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Jun;32(6):982-6
references: 7751469
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1996 Jul-Aug;62(4):226-8
references: 20948060
references: J Clin Pathol. 2000 Nov;53(11):873-4
references: 11127274
references: Int J Dermatol. 2002 Oct;41(10):647-51
references: 12390186
references: Indian J Dermatol. 2011 Mar;56(2):160-4
references: 21716540
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2003 Mar-Apr;69(2):83-5
references: 17642840
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1995 Sep-Oct;61(5):276-9
references: 20952988
references: Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2003 Mar-Apr;69(2):105-8
references: 17642848
references: N Engl J Med. 1976 Apr 1;294(14):739-45
references: 176581
references: Int J Dermatol. 1998 Feb;37(2):113-5
references: 9542665