Prevalence of Scleroderma in North Indian Population: Diabetics versus Non- Diabetics

Diabetes mellitus is a common condition which frequently has skin manifestations. The attachment of glucose to protein may result in a profound effect on structure and function of that protein, and account for clinical manifestations of the disease. It has been suggested that increased crosslinking of collagen in diabetic patients is responsible for the fact that their skin is generally thicker than that of nondiabetics. The present study was undertaken to assess the incidence and to compare the incidence of waxy skin and scleroderma in diabetics and non diabetics. The study was done on 250 patients who attended the skin camp held in a village of Punjab. This study was conducted by specialists of Dermatology and Medicine. Thorough general physical examination and the dermatological examination were done in each case. All the cases of scleroderma and waxy skin were noted and compared between diabetics and non diabetic patients.