Infections in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology resulting from defects in insulin secretion and insulin action (or both). Its acute complications include infections at different locations in the human body. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of characterizing infectious processes in type 2 diabetic patients treated at the Cuban Eye Center located in Obrajes, in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, from July to November 2010. The universe of study consisted of 284 type 2 diabetic patients who were treated there during that period of time. The sample consisted of 174 individuals selected in a non-probabilistic way. The variables: age, sex, nutritional assessment, disease duration, metabolic control, presence and type of infections were collected through medical interviews, general and systemic physical examination, and by performing some additional tests. The highest frequency of infections was directly related to older ages. Males predominated, as well as moderate obesity, prolonged time of progression of the disease and poor metabolic control. Dermatological infections predominated in both sexes, especially candidiasis in the folds.

Keywords

• infecciones bacterianas y micosis
• diabetes mellitus tipo ii