Relation between cutaneous and extracutaneous complications in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: The relationship between cutaneous and extracutaneous complications in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes is unclear. Objective: The objective of the current study is to investigate the relationship between skin disorders and diabetic microangiopathic changes in pediatric and adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes. Patients and methods: Eighty patients with type 1 diabetes and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All recruited patients were followed up monthly for a total period of 12 month. Monthly visit included thorough clinical examination with system review, as well as whole-body cutaneous examination. HbA1c was assessed every 3 month. Twenty-four hours urine was collected for measurement of urinary albumin. Results: Fifty percent of the screened diabetic cohort had diabetic nephropathy (DN). The overall prevalence of cutaneous lesion among the studied diabetic cohort was high (72.5%), with cutaneous infections (40%) and xerosis (30%) being the most prevalent. The frequency of cutaneous infections, xerosis and rubeosis faciei was higher in patients with nephropathy than in those without nephropathy. Conclusion: cutaneous affection in patients with diabetes may be a clue to the presence of associated microangioapthic complications. The significant association between diabetic nephropathy and cutaneous lesions support the concept that cutaneous lesion in diabetes is a reflection of diabetic angiopathy, highlighting the importance of identifying patients at risk of other microvascular complications.