Association of skin hydration and pruritus severity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Introduction: Pruritus is a non-infectious skin manifestation that often occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Skin hydration presents water content in the stratum corneum. Normal skin hydration is necessary to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier. Disruption of the skin barrier causes the release of pruritic mediators resulting in pruritic sensation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of skin hydration and pruritus severity in type 2 DM patients. Methods: This study was an observational study with a cross-sectional design of 97 type 2 DM patients with pruritus. All study subjects underwent skin hydration measurement with CM 825 corneometer® and pruritus severity assessment with Numerical Rating Scale. The relationship between skin hydration and pruritus severity was analyzed using the Chi-Square test and was significant if the p-value <0.05. Result: Pruritus in type 2 DM patients was more common in female subjects (61.9%), with age 54±5.2 years, disease duration 7.3±6.2 years, and oral antidiabetic treatment (47.4%). Most patients had dry skin hydration (67%) and moderate pruritus severity (46.4%). The results of this study showed that there was no association between skin hydration and pruritus severity in patients with type 2 DM (p=0.816). Conclusions: There was no association between skin hydration and pruritus severity in patients with type 2 DM.