Table 3.
Studied etiopathogenetic factors contributing to itch in diabetes mellitus and dependencies on selected clinical data.
| With Itch (n = 39) | Without Itch (n = 70) | p-Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glycaemic control: | |||
| HbA1C (%), mean ± SD Range Median |
8.5 ± 2 (5.2–14) 8.2 |
8 ± 2.3 (5–15.1) 7.5 |
NS |
| FPG (mg/dl), mean ± SD Range Median |
174.6 ± 62.3 (88–356) 164 |
148 ± 69.2 (62–510) 124 |
p = 0.01 |
| Treatment of diabetes: (n) | |||
| Insulin | 17 (43.6%) | 18 (25.7%) | p = 0.03 |
| Oral treatment | 20 (51.3%) | 56 (80%) | p < 0.01 |
| Diet only | 3 (7.7%) | 1 (1.4%) | NS |
| Skin xerosis: | |||
| Skin xerosis examined clinically (points), mean ± SD Range Median |
1.3 ± 0.8 (0–3) 1 |
0.9 ± 0.9 (0–3) 1 |
p < 0.01 |
| Epidermal hydration (AU), mean ± SD (median) • Forearm • Lower leg • Abdomen • Chest |
27.4 ± 10.6 (28.9) 32.1 ± 13.2 (33.3) 20.4 ± 9.4 (18.9) 39.4 ± 14.6 (38.2) |
31.2 ± 12.2 (29.9) 32.8 ± 12.4 (31.6) 25.9 ± 16.2 (21.3) 37.1 ± 18.5 (39.3) |
NS NS NS NS |
| Polyneuropathy: | |||
| Other than itch sensations related to polyneuropathy (n): • Tingling • Numbness • Pain • Stinging • Burning • Hyperesthesia • Hypoesthesia |
26 (66.7%) 22 (56.4%) 8 (20.5%) 7 (17.9%) 14 (35.9%) 7 (17.9%) 4 (10.3%) |
20 (28.6%) 22 (31.4%) 8 (11.4%) 3 (4.3%) 7 (6.4%) 7 (6.4%) 2 (2.9%) |
p < 0.01 p = 0.01 NS p = 0.02 p < 0.01 NS NS |
| Katzenwadel scale (points), mean ± SD Range Median |
3.0 ± 1.8 (0–9) 3 |
1.3 ± 1.4 (0–5) 1 |
p < 0.01 |
HbA1C—glycated haemoglobin, FPG—fasting plasma glucose, SD—standard deviation.