INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a common and debilitating disease that affects a variety of organs including the
skin. Between thirty and seventy percent of patients with diabetes mellitus will present with a cutaneous complication
of diabetes mellitus at some point during their lifetime Recognition and management of these conditions is important in
maximizing the quality of life and in avoiding serious adverse effects in patients with diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the various cutaneous manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus among Diabetic patients.
METHOD: A cross sectional study was conducted at a Tertiary Hospital in Chennai (Govt. Stanley Medical College and
Hospital). 240 Diabetic patients were included in the study during the period between April 2021- July 2021. After obtaining
informed consent from the patients, details were collected by face-to face interview using questionnaire designed for the
study.
RESULT: A total of 240response were collected in which 66.3% were female participants. Most of the participants belong
to upper lower class with poor educational status. Cutaneous manifestations of Diabetes was more common in the age
group above 50 years (65.4%).42.1% of the study participants had a positive family history of DM.
Fungal infections (34.3%) were the most common infections in which 17.5% includes Pruritus vulvae and 12.5% constitutes
Tinea infections.
CONCLUSION: Skin manifestations can be the presenting sign of type 2 DM or they can indicate underlying diabetesinduced organ damage in known diabetics. Patient education and lifestyle changes are key in improving the health and
quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus.