Association of Dermatological Manifestations in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Respect to Duration of Diabetes

Objective Diabetes mellitus is a disease that can affect various organs, and so all the symptoms should be investigated. Nonetheless, skin symptoms have received less attention than others. The duration of diabetes plays a critical role in the development and progression of systemic and dermatological complications. Existing evidence suggests that many cutaneous complications, such as diabetic dermopathy, xerosis, and infections, tend to increase in frequency and severity with longer disease duration. Therefore, this study assessed and compared the demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and dermatological features of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on the duration of the disease. Methodology This cross-sectional study was performed at multiple secondary care hospitals and primary care centers. The time period of the study was from December 1, 2024, to May 30, 2025. This study included 290 patients with confirmed T2DM, categorized into three groups based on diabetes duration: Group A (less than one year), Group B (one to five years), and Group C (more than five years). Data were collected through clinical examination and structured questionnaires covering demographic details, lifestyle factors, treatment modalities, physiological parameters, and dermatological findings. Statistical analysis was applied using the chi-square test and a Kruskal-Wallis test, with p < 0.05 reflecting statistically significant. Results The comparison of three groups showed significant differences in gender, socioeconomic status, dyslipidemia, smoking history, and diabetes treatment. Group A had more individuals from a high socioeconomic background, while Group C had the most from the middle class. Dermatological conditions such as acanthosis nigricans (p < 0.001), callosities (p = 0.020), and bullae (p = 0.027) were significantly associated with longer diabetes duration. Conclusion This study concluded that the duration of T2DM patients with a longer diabetes duration was linked to lower BMI, better glycemic control, and more lifestyle-based treatments, while shorter duration was associated with higher age, BMI, dyslipidemia, and smoking. Dermatological manifestations such as acanthosis nigricans, callosities, and bullae indicated a significant association with diabetes duration.