Aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques des affections dermatologiques des patients diabétiques suivis à l'Hôpital Central de Yaoundé, Cameroun

We sought to determine the frequency and type of dermatological lesions observed on clinical examination in patients with diabetes attending Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study at the department of Endocrinology-Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases of Yaounde Central Hospital, from November 2012 through March 2013. All patients whatever the type of diabetes, com-plaining or not of a non-traumatic skin lesion were included. Among 231 patients enrolled, a total of 22 types of dermatological lesions were observed, with 44.1% of patients (103/231) presenting at least one dermatological condition. These conditions were classified in three categories: lesions associated with diabetes, lesions related to diabetes complications, and lesions related to diabetes treatment. Dermatological conditions related to diabetes complications were the most frequently observed with a predominance of fungal infections in 66.3% of affected patients (71/107). Conditions associated to diabetes were less frequent with a predominance of congenital naevus in 5/13 cases. Concerning lesions associated to the treatment of diabetes, lipodystro-phies were the most frequent, affecting 7 patients, with superinfection in some cases. In conclusion, with the exclusion ofdiabetic foot ulcers, dermatological conditions are very frequent in our diabetic population with predominance of fungal infections. Our results suggests the need of systematic dermatological exam in diabetic patients as well as tailoring education to the epidemiological context.