Abstract

Aim: To determine the clinical spectrum and to calculate the frequency of skin lesions in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty three patients with type II diabetes mellitus who were followed at the Department of Internal Dieseases in Siyami Ersek in Cardiac and Vascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital underwent dermatological examination. Sex, age, duration of the disease, Hb A1c levels detected in last three months, body mass index and type of treatment were recorded. Findings: Of the 153 patients, 107 were female and 46 male and mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 10.2 +/- 8.6 year. Mean Hb A1c levels was 7.3 +/- 1.4mg/dl, and mean body mass index was 27.8 +/-3.4kg/m2. Of the 153 patients, 120 patiens used oral antidiabetic agents, 20 used insulin, and 13 used both insulin and oral antidiabetics. Skin lesion was detected in 129 patients (84.4 %). The most frequently detected skin lesion was xerosis (40.52 %). Tinea pedis (18.95%), onycomycosis (80%), pruritus (14.38 %) and seborrheic keratosis (10.46%) were also other skin lesions detected in this research. Seborrheic dermatitis (p=0.048) and skin thickness (p=0.03) in males were more statistically significant. There was no statistical relationship between other skin lesions and sex (p>0.05). As the patients gets older, the frequency of senile angioma (p=0.01, r=0.206), xerosis (p=0.023, r=0.184), skin thickness (p=0.027, r=0.179) and pruritus (p=0.05, r=0.156) increased but the frequency of furuncles (p=0.019, r= -0.189) decreased. An increase in the frequency of tinea pedis (p=0.018, r=0.191) and onycomycosis (p=0.045, r=0.153) and intertrigo (p=0.002, r=0.250) was observed but a decresase in the frequency of seborrheic keratosis (p=0.04, r=-0.149) was observed with the increasing HbA1c levels. An increase in the frequency of senile angioma (p=0.029, r=0.177), acantosis nigricans (p=0.018, r=0.191) and prurigo nodularis (p<0.001, r= 0.396) was determined with the increase of the body mass index. No statistical significant relationship between duration of diabetes and skin lesions was observed and also between treatment of diabetes and skin lesions. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson correlation test were used in statistical calculation. Conclusion: Varying types of skin findings can be noted in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Senile angioma, xerosis, skin thickness and pruritus findings are attracting attention especially elderly patients with long-lasting diabetes mellitus. Also patients with high level body mass index and diabetes mellitus patients not undercontrol should be carefully examined regarding to senile angioma, tinea pedis and acanthosis nigricans.