Dermatological complications of insulin therapy in children with type 1 diabetes. Issue 3 (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Munster, Hilde E; van de Sande, Cathelijne PM; Voorhoeve, Paul G; van Alfen‐van der Velden, Janiëlle AEM
• Is Part Of: European diabetes nursing. Volume 11:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Nursing -- Periodicals; 616.4620231
• DOI: 10.1002/edn.255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-7853

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Dermatological complications at insulin administration sites, like lipohypertrophy, lipoatrophy and erythema, are common in children with type 1 diabetes. These complications can be painful, disfiguring and may influence glycaemic control. Studies on epidemiology and etiology are needed before prevention or treatment is possible.</p> <p>The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of common dermatological complications in children with type 1 diabetes and to assess associations between dermatological complications and possible risk factors.</p> <p>In this cross‐sectional study 231 children with type 1 diabetes were included. Dermatological complications were assessed and a questionnaire with possible risk factors was completed. Data were evaluated using χ<sup>2</sup> tests.</p> <p>The results showed that lipohypertrophy was present in 34.8% of the children, lipoatrophy in 8.1% and erythema in 24.6%. Lipohypertrophy was associated with multiple daily injection therapy (<italic>p</italic>=0.03) and insufficiency of alternating administration sites (<italic>p</italic><0.001). Lipoatrophy was not influenced by type of insulin therapy (<italic>p</italic>=0.44) but was found to be associated with less frequent injection site alternation in patients using multiple daily injections (<italic>p</italic>=0.01). Also, HbA1c level was positively associated with lipoatrophy (<italic>p</italic>=0.01). Erythema of the skin was more frequently diagnosed in children with continuous subcutaneous insulin pump therapy (<italic>p</italic><0.001). A history of cutaneous infections and dry skin on exam day were independently associated with erythema at insulin administration sites (<italic>p</italic><0.001 and 0.04, respectively).</p> <p>Dermatological complications are a common problem in children with type 1 diabetes making frequent examination of the skin in these children an important aspect of their medical care.</p> </abstract>