Abnormal skin in toe webs is a marker for abnormal glucose metabolism. A cross-sectional survey among 1,849 adults in Finland

Superficial fungal infections in adults in Northern Finland between 2010 and 2021: A register-based study

Background and Aims

Superficial fungal infections are common dermatological reasons to visit a doctor in primary care in Finland. However, their variable clinical picture and minor symptoms may lead to delayed diagnosis. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology and patient profile of fungal infections treated in secondary care over a decade.

Methods

This is a retrospective study including adult patients with a fungal infection in the scalp, nails, or superficial skin diagnosed at the Oulu University Hospital, Finland between the years 2010 and 2021.

Results

There were 573 patients with male predominance (57.6%). All studied fungal infections were more common in the oldest age group (>61 years). The number of fungal infections increased from the year 2017 onward. Only one-third (37.7%) of the patients were referred to the dermatology clinic because of a suspected dermatophyte infection, and in 46.0% of cases, the diagnostic delay exceeded 6 months. The most common fungal infection was tinea pedis (n = 295, 51.5%) followed by tinea unguium (n = 275, 48.0%); as concomitant infection, they were present in 108 (18.8%) of all patients. The most common pathogen causing a fungal infection was Trichophyton rubrum.

Conclusion

During the study period, the incidence of diagnosed superficial fungal skin infections increased. There was a remarkable diagnostic delay from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis in these most common dermatological conditions.

Skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of skin diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM) are prominent around the world. The current scope of knowledge regarding the prevalence of skin diseases and comorbidities with type 2 DM (T2DM) is limited, leading to limited recognition of the correlations between skin diseases and T2DM.

METHODS

We collected 383 subjects from the Da Qing Diabetes Study during the period from July 9th to September 1st, 2016. The subjects were categorized into three groups: Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin diseases were recorded and investigated.

RESULTS

In this cross-sectional study, 383 individuals with ages ranging from 53 to 89-year-old were recruited. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 93.5%, and 75.7% of individuals had two or more kinds of skin diseases. Additionally, there were 47 kinds of comorbid skin diseases in patients with T2DM, of which eight kinds of skin diseases had a prevalence >10%. The prevalence of skin diseases in NGT, IGT, and T2DM groups were 93.3%, 91.5%, and 96.6%, respectively; stratified analysis by categories showed a statistically significant difference in "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". The duration of T2DM also significantly associated with the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". Subsequently, the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was higher in males than females in NGT (P < 0.01) and T2DM (P < 0.01) groups. In addition, the difference in the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was also significant in NGT and T2DM groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high prevalence of skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study. To address the skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study, increased awareness and intervention measures should be implemented.

Cutaneous Adverse Effects of Diabetes Mellitus Medications and Medical Devices: A Review

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the USA. If uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to devastating complications. Diabetes medications and medical devices largely contribute to the significant financial expense that the disease inflicts on affected individuals and society. Alongside significant economic burden, there are numerous cutaneous adverse effects associated with diabetes medications and medical devices. Despite the large and increasing number of individuals living with diabetes and the wide use of the related medications and medical devices, there is limited literature that comprehensively documents their cutaneous adverse effects. These cutaneous adverse effects are significant as they can worsen glycemic control, increase disease distress, and may increase risk of associated complications. Thus, it is important that providers can recognize these cutaneous adverse effects, identify the culprit agents, and can properly manage them. In this article, we provide a critical review of the cutaneous adverse effects of medications and devices used in the management of diabetes and provide insight into risk factors and prevention and an overview of therapeutic management. An emphasis is placed on clinical recognition and treatment for use of the medical providers who, regardless of practice setting, will treat patients with diabetes.