Diabetes coexistent with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease presenting as a recurrent foot ulcer misdiagnosed as diabetic foot: A case report

ABSTRACT Both diabetes mellitus and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) can lead to severe peripheral neuropathy. The differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is difficult due to the similar clinical features. There are still some clues, such as unusual muscle atrophy, unmatched severity of peripheral neurogenic damage with nephropathy or retinopathy, which could alert clinicians to make differential diagnosis. Although diabetes mellitus is rarely concurrent with CMT, it will exacerbate clinical disorders in patients with CMT. To date, there is no specific medicine for CMT treatment. Offloading devices and desirable comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus might be beneficial to avoid plantar ulcer recurrence and anti‐progression of CMT. The differential diagnostic of diabetes peripheral neuropathy and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is troublesome due to the similar clinical features. Although diabetes mellitus is rarely concurrent with CMT, it will exacerbate clinical disorders of patients with CMT. A desirable comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus might be of benefit to anti‐progression of CMT.