ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus also has a variety of other complications. Periodontal disease is due to extension of gingival inflammation into underlying structures, and diabetes greatly influences its clinical outcomes. Common diabetes-related infections include COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia. Sleep apnea is often seen in patients with diabetes, and all patients with type 2 diabetes need to be assessed for this condition because it has potentially severe effects. Diabetes also causes a variety of skin changes, in color or texture, and lesions such as blisters, sores, raised bumps, discolored patches, and skin tags. Potentially serious gastrointestinal problems are linked to diabetes, which include gastroparesis, thrush, ulcers, intestinal nerve damage, celiac disease, and fatty liver changes. The musculoskeletal complications of diabetes can range widely, and include joint stiffness, flexion contractures, nodules, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, calcific periarthritis, muscle infarctions, and spinal hyperostosis. Diabetes is also implicated in erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, and decreased sensation. Potentially serious foot disorders often occur with long-term diabetes, involving loss of sensation that can lead to serious, unhealing wounds. These can result in open sores and infections that culminate to gangrene and amputation.
