Skin Infections among Type II Diabetic Patients in Faisalabad Region, Pakistan

Background: Endocrine disorders occasionally manifest themselves by their associated or induced cutaneous abnormalities. Skin is a frequently overlooked source of pathology. Several cutaneous abnormalities are more prevalent in diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of skin infections among type 2 diabetic patients and associated risk factors in Faisalabad, Pakistan Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients (disease duration 1 year) and healthy volunteers were recruited and skin infections were assessed. Results: Diabetes related skin infections were detected in 43% of type 2 diabetic patients and in 22.5% of the control subjects. Onychomychosis, candida vaginitis and herpes simplex were identified in 9.2 % of the diabetic patients compared to 2.5% of the control subjects. Skin infections had an insignificant association with sex, mean age, age at diabetes diagnosis, diabetes duration, secondary complications of diabetes, blood glucose and cumulative haemoglobin. Conclusion: A broad spectrum of cutaneous disorders was seen in type 2 patients. While the pathogenesis of the most of the skin lesions remains ambiguous, additional studies should be performed to determine whether skin lesions could be used for predicting imminent diabetic complications.