Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Early Dry Skin Disorder: A Comparison Study Between Primary and Tertiary Care in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Indonesia has continued to increase over the years. Management of T2DM is challenging across clinical settings, including primary and tertiary care. Uncontrolled T2DM puts patients at risk of the development of T2DM complications, especially early-stage dry skin that is neglected by most of the patients. This study aimed to investigate the comparison between the T2DM management profile and dry skin clinical profile of T2DM patients in primary care and tertiary care settings.

Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional epidemiological study by comparing T2DM patient profiles in primary and tertiary care. The data collected included sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data that were correlated with T2DM and early dry skin related-T2DM. This study included early dry skin within the SRRC score of 3-11 and excluded infection, ulcer, and severe erythema.

Results: The patients in primary and tertiary care presented poorly controlled T2DM with median HbA1c levels of 7.8% and 7.6%. The patients in primary care also presented with high triglyceride, 179 mg/dl. Furthermore, several significant differences were found in the duration of T2DM, duration of dry skin, and DM treatment (OAD and insulin).

Conclusion: Significant differences in the duration of T2DM, duration of dry skin, and DM treatment (OAD and insulin) might be affected by the parameter of T2DM glycemic control (Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, random blood glucose (RBG), and triglyceride).

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; SRRC; T2DM; dry skin; primary care; tertiary care.