Highlights Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2). It is life threatening and mostly lead to death in the elderly and those with comorbidities like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. COVID-19 mortality rates are generally lower in Africa than more advanced nations. The positive predictors of COVID-19 mortality rate include population mean age, life expectancy, and pre-COVID era ‘65 yr + mortality%’. Pre-COVID era CVD mortality rate is a negative predictor of COVID-19 mortality rate.

Evidence increasingly demonstrates that prediabetes is a toxic state, as well as a risk factor for diabetes, and is associated with pathophysiological changes in several tissues and organs. Unfortunately, use of available evidence-based treatments for prediabetes is low. This review seeks to explain why prediabetes must be viewed and treated as a serious pathological entity in its own right. It offers an overview of the pathophysiology and complications of prediabetes and describes how this condition can be reversed if all treatment avenues are deployed early in its course.

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Background. Bullosis diabeticorum is a distinct, spontaneous, noninflammatory, and blistering condition of acral skin that is unique to diabetics. It is rare. Exact aetiopathogenesis is not known, but many attributed peripheral neuropathy as a potent risk factor, others hypothesized the role of trauma, UV light, and nephropathy. Aim. To present cases of bullosis diabeticorum following long-distance journeys by road. Methods. History and physical examinations were done on 2 diabetics who presented with bilateral feet bullae following a long journey. Biopsy of a circumferential area of the bullae including adjoining apparently normal skin was done. Results. Features of peripheral neuropathy were noted. One developed digital gangrene without features of peripheral vascular disease. Culture of aspirate from a bullae yielded Staphylococcus aureus. Tissue biopsy showed hyperkeratotic focally acanthotic pigmented epidermis with subcorneal separation of the granular layer of the epidermis by aggregates of viable and nonviable polymorphs and lymphocytes. There is mild acantholysis of the epidermis, and a fibrocollagenous dermis which is moderately infiltrated by lymphocytes. Conclusion. Long journeys by road is a strong factor in the aetiopathogenesis of bullosis diabeticorum on a background of peripheral neuropathy. Diabetics especially those with peripheral neuropathy should be cautious while traveling long journeys by road.

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