Cofactors and comorbidities of necrobiosis lipoidica: analysis of the German DRG data from 2012. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jockenhöfer, Finja; Kröger, Knut; Klode, Joachim; Renner, Regina; Erfurt‐Berge, Cornelia; Dissemond, Joachim
• Is Part Of: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. Volume 14:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Necrobiosis lipoidica -- diabetes mellitus -- DRG data -- comorbidities -- cofactors -- leg ulcers; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1610-0379

Abstract

Summary: Background: Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous inflammatory skin disease of unknown pathophysiology. Its potential association with diabetes mellitus is well known. Other relevant cofactors and comorbidities are subject to controversial debate. Patients and methods: DRG (diagnosis‐related groups) data of all inpatients with a coded primary or secondary diagnosis of NL treated at German hospitals in 2012 were evaluated. Results: Data of 262 inpatient cases with the primary or secondary diagnosis of NL were analyzed. Women (63.4 %; n = 166) were nearly twice as frequently affected as men (36.2 %; n = 96). Most NL patients (14.8 %) were in the age group between 50 and 55 years. Among comorbidities included in the metabolic syndrome complex, diabetes mellitus was the most common (34.4 %; IDDM 20.6 %, NIDDM 13.8 %), while essential hypertension was observed in 9.2 %, obesity in 4.6 %, chronic heart failure in 4.1 %, and dyslipidemias in 2.3 % of cases. Leg ulcers were diagnosed in 7.3 % of individuals; other venous disorders, in 5.7 %. Conclusions: Our data analysis describes one of the largest compilations of patient cases with the diagnosis of NL worldwide. Besides the well‐known association with diabetes mellitus, there are numerous other potentially relevant cofactors and comorbidities that should be considered in the diagnosis and management of NL patients.