A Study of Skin Infections and Their Association with Poor Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem associated with increased risk of infections. Skin infections are particularly frequent in poorly controlled diabetes due to impaired immunity, microangiopathy, and hyperglycemia that fosters microbial growth. Objectives: 1. To determine the prevalence of skin infections among patients with T2DM. 2. To describe the clinical and microbiological spectrum of these infections. 3. To assess the association between skin infections and glycemic control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine from July 2023 – June 2024. A total of 120 consecutive T2DM patients were enrolled. Glycemic control was assessed using HbA1c levels, categorized as good (<7%), moderate (7–8.9%), and poor (≥9%). Skin infections were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by microbiological investigations when indicated. Results: Skin infections were present in 46.7% (56/120) of T2DM patients. The most common infections were fungal (38%), followed by bacterial (28%), mixed (22%), and viral (12%). Poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥9%) was observed in 68% of infected patients compared to 29% without infections (p < 0.01). Recurrent and severe infections were significantly associated with higher HbA1c values (10.1 ± 1.8 vs. 7.2 ± 1.4). Conclusion: Skin infections are common in T2DM and strongly associated with poor glycemic control. Regular monitoring of HbA1c and early treatment of infections are essential to prevent morbidity.