Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study to determine the prevalence of dermatological lesions in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: This cross sectional study was done the Department of Ophthalmology, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India for 12 months, 80 patients with diabetic retinopathy having diabetes mellitus of at least 5 years duration, aged between 28-60 years, were included in this study. The dermatological examination was done by a dermatologist under proper day light and if needed, using hand held magnifying lens. Examination of the retina was done by an Ophthalmologist using indirect ophthalmoscopy of dilated fundus, fundus photo, fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography of the macula.
Results: The mean age was 19.22(SD 5.02) years. The duration of diabetes mellitus in this group was 5 to 25 years with a mean duration of 10.77 years (SD 5.22). There was a slight female preponderance with 35 males (43.75%) and 45 females (56.25%) among the 80 patients. Of the 80 diabetic patients included in this study, 7(8.75%) had Very Mild Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), 26(32.50%) had Mild NPDR, 30(37.50%) had Moderate NPDR, 10(12.50%) had Severe NPDR, 7(8.75%) had Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) and 35(43.75%) had Clinically Significant Macular Edema (CSME). 65 among 80 DR patients had different types of dermatological lesions, the prevalence being 81.25%. Dermatological lesions among poor glycemic control DM patients had a prevalence of 56.25% which was higher as compared to 37.50% among good glycemic control DM patients.
Conclusion: Prevalence of Dermatological lesions in Diabetic Retinopathy patients was 81.25%, the most common being Diabetic Dermopathy (shin spots) which was 43.75%.