Analysis of metabolic status in patients with diabetes mellitus and its relationship with the spectrum of skin disorders: A mixed study at syahira medika clinic

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease frequently accompanied by cutaneous manifestations that may reflect poor metabolic control. This study aimed to analyze the association between metabolic status and the spectrum of skin disorders and to explore patients’ experiences at Syahira Medika Clinic. A mixed-methods study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted among 51 patients with type 2 DM. Metabolic status was assessed using HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure; skin disorders were identified through clinical examination. Quantitative data were analyzed using Fisher’s Exact, Chi-Square, Spearman correlation, and Mann-Whitney tests, followed by in-depth interviews with 10 selected informants and thematic analysis. Skin disorders were found in 84.3% of respondents, most commonly skin tags (31.4%), diabetic dermopathy (27.5%), and bacterial infections (25.5%). Significant associations were observed with HbA1c (p=0.002), FBG (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p=0.023), BMI (p=0.007), and blood pressure (p=0.003). HbA1c was positively correlated with the number of skin disorder types (r=0.565; p<0.001). Qualitative findings indicated impacts on sleep and self-confidence, while medication adherence, dietary management, and family support facilitated management. Integrated findings indicate that poor metabolic status is associated with more frequent skin disorders, supporting skin screening alongside metabolic monitoring in diabetes care.