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Background Diabetes Mellitus is related to musculoskeletal and soft tissues complications in a very diverse way, and with no doubt, hands are also affected. Almost 40% of people living with Diabetes have significant problems in the hands that require medical attention. (1) Clinical Case: A 59-year-old women with history of Diabetes Mellitus diagnosed 20 years ago without control, treated with NPH and Lispro insulin (basal bolus regimen). She was admitted to the emergency room due to a third-degree boiling water burn in her right index finger. Before she came to the hospital, she was previously evaluated by a physician who prescribed antibiotics (clindamycin) for 5 days without response. At physical examination, erythema, edema, purulent secretion was found in the finger. In addition, fever and high glucose levels were also noted. During hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics such as tigecycline and oxacillin were used with no improvement. Blood samples demonstrated leukocytosis and C-reactive protein (CPR) elevated levels. Secretion culture was positive to Methicillin-sensible Staphylococcus Aureus. Electromyography revealed severe lesions at sensory-motor peripheral nerves with chronic denervation in upper limbs. Due to the poor evolution of the injury, traumatologists indicated surgical cleaning. After 2 days, leukocytosis and CPR elevated levels persisted and despite all the efforts done to save the finger, traumatologists decided to perform an amputation. After 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, the patient was discharged with normalized hemogram and CPR levels. Conclusion Diabetic hand infection is less recognized in the literature that the diabetic foot, main reason why it is easily ignored and underestimated; resulting in increased morbidity among diabetic patients. The combination of neuropathy, peripheral artery disease and impaired glucose levels made this patient had a poor outcome, resulting in the loss of a finger. It is very important to evaluate the hands during routine controls to avoid these sad events. References: 1. Alpesh G, Vivek T, Yashdeep G. Diabetic Hand: A Neglected Complication of Diabetes Mellitus. Cureus. 2018 Jun 9;10(6) Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
