Objective:

To investigate the relationship between diabetic complications and skin dryness as measured by the Overall Dry Skin (ODS) score in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Patients with diabetic complications had significantly higher ODS scores compared to those without complications (p < 0.05).
• The forearm ODS score was significantly higher in patients with retinopathy (p = 0.003) and peripheral polyneuropathy (p = 0.017).
• The lower leg ODS score was significantly higher in patients with retinopathy (p = 0.007).
• The total ODS score was significantly higher in patients with retinopathy (p = 0.002), nephropathy (p = 0.047), and peripheral polyneuropathy (p = 0.027).
• In multivariable analysis, only age (p = 0.002) and retinopathy (p = 0.042) were independently associated with total ODS score.

Interpretation:

The Overall Dry Skin score may serve as a simple, non-invasive clinical tool for identifying patients at higher risk of diabetic retinopathy, potentially aiding in early intervention.

Limitations:

• The study was conducted at a single center with a limited sample size, which may affect generalizability.
• Interrater reliability of the ODS assessment was not formally evaluated.

Conclusion:

Prospective, multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the predictive value of ODS scoring.

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