Prevalence of Skin Manifestations in Diabetes Mellitus at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Background: The prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia is now one of the highest in the world, with the rise in prevalence of Type II diabetes. Patients with diabetes mellitus commonly suffer from a wide variety of cutaneous disorders. Aims: This study estimates the prevalence of skin manifestations in patients with diabetes mellitus, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Materials and Methods: Five hundred and fifty-eight patients with the diagnosis of diabetes, attending the dermatologic and diabetic clinic were included in this study. Results: The common skin disorders were: xerosis (74.7%), pruritus (38.2%), diabetic dermopathy (30.1%), finger pebbles (25.6%), and thickened skin (22.2%). Conclusion: Skin manifestations in diabetics are common. High prevalence of xerosis in our diabetic population is significant and further studies are recommended.