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Clinical features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients with suspected fungal foot infections: a single-center experience

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Abstract

Background/aim

Fungal foot infections are common and increase the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in patients with diabetes. We aimed to investigate the clinical features and related risk factors in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with suspected fungal feet infection (SFFI) in an outpatient setting.

Methods

This is a single center, cross-sectional study. A total of 816 patients with diabetes patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of clinical SFFI (group 1; SFFI ( +); n = 487 and group 2; SFFI (-); n = 329). Groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, disease information (type and duration of diabetes, diabetes treatment, presence of retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, DFU, and hypertension), HbA1c level, daily foot care activities (frequency of foot washing, keeping toes dry after washing, religious habits, etc.), and skin condition.

Results

Signs of SFFI were detected in 59.7% of the patients. Type 2 diabetes, insulin treatment, female sex, and skin dryness were significantly more common among patients with SFFI (p = 0. 000, 0.005,0.013, and 0.000, respectively). Religious habits and social lifestyle were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.109 and 0.703, respectively). Retinopathy, neuropathy, and hypertension were more prevalent in patients with SFFI (p = 0.006, 0.012, and 0.001, respectively). SFFI correlated with age and dryness of skin (OR:0.024, 95% CI: 0.959–0.993, p = 0.007; OR: 1.094, 95% CI: 2.484–3.589, p = 0.000 respectively).

Conclusion

Patients at risk of SFFI should be educated about regular nail and skin care, including prevention of dry skin conditions for early prevention of subsequent diabetic foot problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Health Sciences Turkey, Hamidiye Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul, Turkey

    Selda Celik

  2. Mekteb-I Tıbbiye-I Şahane (Hamidiye) Külliyesi Selimiye MahTıbbiye, Istanbul, Turkey

    Selda Celik

  3. Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Istanbul, Turkey

    Elif Bagdemir, Ayse Kubat Uzum, Ilhan Satman & Gulsah Yenidunya Yalin

  4. Istanbul University, Faculty of PharmacyBiostatistician, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sevim Purisa

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  1. Selda Celik
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Correspondence to Selda Celik.

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This study was performed in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local ethical review committee of Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty (Approval number: 2015/1855). A signed informed consent was obtained from all of the participants.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Celik, S., Bagdemir, E., Purisa, S. et al. Clinical features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients with suspected fungal foot infections: a single-center experience. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 43, 654–660 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-022-01147-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-022-01147-3

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