Improving Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes-associated Skin Manifestations in a Resource Limited Setting: A Video Education Pilot Study.

Abstract

Objective: Although skin findings in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are common, many patients are unaware of these associations. A pilot study using an educational video was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a video-based tool in evaluating and enhancing the knowledge of patients with Type 2 diabetes about the cutaneous manifestations of their disease.

Methods: An instructional video in English and Spanish highlighting DM-associated skin conditions was created. This included xerosis, diabetic dermopathy, acanthosis nigricans (AN), acrochordons, infections, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), wound healing, and cancer incidence. A convenience cohort of patients with diabetes were included. Participants completed a 10-question survey to assess their knowledge of DM-associated skin conditions either after watching the instructional video or without viewing it. A history-based questionnaire was also administered.

Results: Fourty-five participants were enrolled. Thirty participants viewed the video, and 15 controls did not prior to completing the knowledge survey. The average total score (69%) in participants who watched the video was significantly better than controls (49%). Fourty-two percent of participants reported no prior knowledge of DM-associated cutaneous effects. Greater than half of this cohort endorsed a history of xerosis, acrochordons, and diabetic dermopathy. More than 40 percent of participants affirmed having AN and infection of the skin or nails. Twenty-nine percent had a history of foot ulcers, and 13 percent had cellulitis in the past.

Limitations: This was a pilot study with a small sample size, limiting generalizability.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of bilingual video education to enhance knowledge of DM-associated skin manifestations. Given the limited awareness of and high self-reported incidence of DM-associated cutaneous disorders, accessible educational resources like this video could help patients better recognize these entities and seek appropriate treatment.