Cutaneous Manifestations in Patients with Endocrine Diseases

Objectives: The objective of the study is to systematically characterise the types and patterns of cutaneous manifestations observed in patients with various endocrine disorders and to differentiate and document the specific and non-specific dermatological changes linked to endocrine abnormalities. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethics committee clearance and written informed consent from individual study participants, patients who attended the dermatology outpatient department of our tertiary care hospital with endocrine diseases from January 2021 to December 2022 were included. A pre-set pro forma was used to collect data on demography and clinical findings including dermatological manifestations and laboratory parameters. We noted the different endocrinal diseases along with the mucocutaneous findings in the study participants. We classified the mucocutaneous manifestations associated with endocrinal diseases into specific and non-specific. Results: Over a 2-year observational period, 150 patients diagnosed with endocrinal disorders who attended the outpatient department were included in the study. The distribution of these endocrinal conditions was as follows: Diabetes mellitus in 88 patients (58.66%), hypothyroidism in 39 patients (26%), hyperthyroidism in 12 patients (8%) and Cushing’s syndrome in six patients (4%). Most common mucocutaneous manifestations noted amongst the study cohort were generalised pruritus, dry coarse skin and diffuse hair fall. Amongst individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, the predominant cutaneous findings were generalised pruritus (25 patients, 28.41%) and dermatophytoses, specifically tinea cruris and tinea corporis (10 patients, 11.36%). In those with hypothyroidism, the most common issues were generalised pruritus (15 cases, 38.46%) and dry, coarse skin (13 cases, 33.33%). The most common manifestations reported in patients with hyperthyroidism were generalised pruritus (4 cases, 33.33%) followed by warm moist skin (3 cases, 25%). Conclusion: All 150 patients who attended the dermatology OPD with endocrinal disorders along with any mucocutaneous findings, points to the importance of detailed dermatological evaluation in patients with endocrinal diseases to offer comprehensive care, which points to the importance of detailed dermatological evaluation in patients with the former to offer comprehensive care to the affected. Awareness of specific mucocutaneous features of endocrinal diseases may help the dermatologist to offer proper evaluation and early diagnosis of endocrinal diseases.