Sampath Kumar G1, Mohammad Faizal2, Radhamani M3
BACKGROUND Skin problems are usually not considered and never attended in diabetics. They are usually neglected and they are only taken note of when they pose problems. Many of these skin problems that go undiagnosed diabetic patients later complicate diabetes and its treatment. The common skin infections that can cause major problems and are associated with increased blood glucose levels and Advanced Glycation Products (AGPs). Skin disorders in diabetics are usually consistent as in the medical literature, but the data is limited with respect to early stage skin disorders in diabetic patients. Awareness is needed for better understanding the importance of skin disorders in diabetes patients for prevention and management. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was done in the Department of Dermatology, Travancore Medical College, Kollam. The study was done from June 2015 to December 2015. Sixty patients were identified and the study was conducted. INCLUSION CRITERIA The patients were known diabetic for at least five years. EXCLUSION CRITERIA Patients who were treated with immune suppressant drugs were not included in the present study. Skin scrapings were taken and were subjected to KOH preparation. The result that was available was taken for statistical analysis. The statistical analysis was done using the latest SPSS software 2015 (California). RESULTS In the present study, maximum number of fungal infections was seen in male sex, which amounted to forty one cases and was as in the female sex the number was nineteen. Out of the forty one male cases, maximum number of cases belonged to age group of forty to sixty years, which amounted to sixteen cases followed by age group sixty to eighty years, which amounted to fourteen cases followed by twenty to forty years, which amounted to seven cases. Age group zero to twenty years and age group of more than eighty years amounted to two cases each. In cases of females, age group forty to sixty years had maximum number of cases, which amounted to seven in number followed by sixty to eighty years, which amounted to five in number followed by age group of twenty to forty years, which amounted to four cases, followed by more than eighty years, which amounted to two cases. Least number of cases was seen in age group of zero to twenty years, which amounted to one case. Based on the type of fungal infections, total of twenty four patients suffered from tinea pedis infection out of which seventeen were males and seven were females. Eleven patients suffered from onychomycosis, out of which, ten were males and one was female. A total of four patients suffered from Candidal skin infection, out of which three were males and one was female. Four patients suffered from Candida angular cheilitis out of which male and female amounted to two cases each. Six males were noted to have Candidal balanitis and three females suffered from vaginal yeast infections. A total number of eight patients suffered from Candidal intertrigo out of which three cases were males and five cases were female. CONCLUSION Fungal infections, which are usually seen in the moist areas of the body are a common problem with diabetics and elderly. The study proves that in known diabetic patients of more than five years it is quiet common.
