MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF THE DIABETIC WAXY SHIN

Background: Tn some diabetic patients, the skin of the hands has a wax y appearance. Objective: To study subclinical skin stiffening in diabe tic patients using a noninvasive, in vivo suction device measuring ski n extensibility and elasticity. Skin thickness was also measured by hi gh-resolution ultrasonography. Methods: Evaluations were made on the d orsum of the hands and on the volar aspect of the forearms. Results: I n type 1 diabetic patients, the extensibility of skin was decreased wh ile values of thickness and elasticity were increased. These alteratio ns were most prominent on the hands. Similar modifications, although l ess pronounced, were also found in type 2 diabetic subjects. Conclusio n: The reported biomechanical changes indicate the presence of subclin ical skin stiffening in many patients with diabetes mellitus. Such non invasive biometrological evaluations could be used for monitoring, rat ing and correlating some diabetes-associated disorders.