Influence of diabetes mellitus on the development of trophic disorders of the skin in patients with lymphedema
The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on the likelihood of development of trophic disorders and infectious lesions in patients with lymphedema. Material and methods. Between October 2014 and January 2018, 443 patients with lymphedema were treated at the Center for Lymphology of the TerraVita Health Center in Kazan. A retrospective analysis of outpatient charts of patients with an assessment of the frequency of changes in the skin of the affected limb was carried out. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the 1<sup>st</sup> group - patients with lymphedema and diabetes, 47 patients. The 2<sup>nd</sup> group - patients with lymphedema without diabetes mellitus, 396 patients. Results. In the 1<sup>st</sup> group of patients with diabetes, trophic disorders were found in 46.8% (22 patients), in the 2<sup>nd</sup> group - 20.9% (83 patients), p=0.02. Infections of the skin and subcutaneous fat of the affected limb were found in 42.6% of cases in the group with diabetes mellitus (20 patients) and 25.5% - in the second group (101 patients). Conclusion. In the course of the study, a higher probability of development of trophic disorders in patients with concomitant lesion-development of lymphedema and diabetes mellitus was proved.