Sclerosis in the Diabetic Patient

Diabetes mellitus determines the glycation of collagen fibers and the alteration of the connective tissue, resulting in various sclerodermiform manifestations in the diabetic patient. The two main clinical entities described are the scleredema and the limited joint mobility syndrome, which can significantly affect the patient’s functionality and quality of life. In addition, these manifestations have been linked with numerous diabetes-related metabolic and microvascular complications and can represent a marker of uncontrolled and poor-prognosis diabetes mellitus; therefore they should be diagnosed at an early stage and managed through a multidisciplinary approach. This can be difficult due to the various presentations and the multiple differential diagnoses, the unpredictable evolution and treatment response, and the lack of validated effective therapies and rehabilitation plans.