The prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in young patients with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cutaneous disorders and their relation to disease duration, metabolic control, and microvascular complications in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Research design and methods: The presence and frequency of skin manifestations were examined and compared in 212 unselected type 1 diabetic patients (aged 2-22 years, diabetes duration 1-15 years) and 196 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relation of cutaneous disorders with diabetes duration, glycemic control, and microvascular complications.

Results: One hundred forty-two (68%) type 1 diabetic patients had at least one cutaneous disorder vs. 52 (26.5%) control subjects (P < 0.01). Diabetes-associated skin lesions were found in 81 (38%) patients. Acquired ichthyosis, rubeosis faciei, diabetic hand, and necrobiosis lipoidica were seen in 22 vs. 3%, 7.1 vs. 0%, 2.3 vs. 0%, and 2.3 vs. 0% of type 1 diabetic and control subjects, respectively. The frequency of cutaneous reactions to insulin therapy was low (-2.7%). The prevalence of fungal infections in patients and control subjects was 4.7% and 1.5%, respectively. Keratosis pilaris affected 12% of our patients vs. 1.5% of control subjects. Diabetic hand was strongly (odds ratio 1.42 [95% CI 1.11-1.81]; P < 0.001), and rubeosis faciei weakly (1.22 [1.04-1.43]; P = 0.0087), associated with diabetes duration. Significant association was also found between acquired ichthyosis and keratosis pilaris (1.53 [1.09-1.79]; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Cutaneous manifestations are common in type 1 diabetic patients, and some of them, like acquired ichthyosis and keratosis pilaris, develop early in the course of the disease. Diabetic hand and rubeosis faciei are related to disease duration.