Granuloma annulare: relationship to diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders and tuberculin skin test

Abstract

BackgroundGranuloma annulare is a benign inflammatory disease of the skin. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are not yet determined, but some authors have proposed that it might be associated with a variety of underlying conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus and positive tuberculin skin test.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to find the probable relationship between granuloma annulare and diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders and positive tuberculin skin test.Patients and methodsA total of 28 patients with granuloma annulare were recruited from our dermatology outpatient clinic, and data on sex, age and distribution of granuloma annulare lesions were collected. Forty-one age- and sex-matched apparently healthy volunteers serving as controls were also included. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and tuberculin skin tests were performed for both groups.ResultsMean serum level of FBS in the patient group was significantly higher than the mean serum level of FBS in the control group (110.60±46.31 mg/dL versus 88.39±10.58 mg/dL, respectively, p=0.004). Mean serum level of TSH in the patient group was 3.43±2.73 mIU/L, which was not significantly different from the mean serum level of TSH in the control group (3.26±2.11 mIU/L, p=0.772). Four individuals in the patient group and only 1 in the control group had a positive tuberculin skin test.ConclusionGranuloma annulare patients are better to be assessed for diabetes mellitus, but the relationship between this skin disease and thyroid disorders or tuberculin skin test still needs to be investigated.

A Monocentric, Retrospective Analysis of 61 Patients with Generalized Granuloma Annulare

“…Numerous diseases have been associated with GGA, most importantly diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, thyroid disease, malignancy and infections. Despite initial reports on the association of diabetes mellitus and GA, contradictory results with both supporting and refuting data have been published [13][14][15][16]. In our cohort, diabetes mellitus was present in 6 of 57 patients (10.5%).…”

Granuloma Annulare and Dupuytren Contracture as First Clinical Manifestation of Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

“…In spite of these findings, the relationship between GA and diabetes mellitus is still a matter ofdebate 1 . It has been proposed that prolonged exposure to high blood glucose levels may contribute to development of GA. Diabetic patients with GA suffer from persistant and relapsing course with poor treatment outcome 6 .…”

“…Associations of granuloma annulare with systemic diseases have been described but not consistently confirmed 1 .…”

A slightly itchy rash on the hand of a person with type 1 diabetes

“… Granuloma annulare is usually asymptomatic, although in some cases mild pruritis and localized tenderness is described [1‐3]. Despite the aetiology being unknown, numerous precipitating factors have been linked, including trauma, insect bites, viral infections, vaccinations, sun exposure, medications and stress [1‐2,4]. …”