Allergic contact dermatitis caused by medical devices for diabetes patients: A review

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM): A clinical review on glycaemic outcomes and impact on quality of life

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) is widely accepted as an alternative means to conventional finger prick test for measuring glucose level in individuals with diabetes mellitus. In this clinical review, we endeavour to draw all available clinical evidence on the usage and efficacy of FGM from research trials and observational studies in real-world settings. We aim to explore its clinical efficacy and impact on quality of life (QoL) in the diabetic population. In terms of clinical outcomes, use of FGM is associated with a significant reduction in glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, notably in patients with suboptimal glycaemic control prior to commencement of FGM and reduction in time spent in hypoglycaemia. FGM demonstrated non-inferiority in device accuracy when compared to other well-established CGMs available in the market. Patients have reported improved QoL and treatment satisfaction measured by validated objective scores after consistent use of FGM. This results in a positive impact on patient psychosocial wellbeing and ultimately enhances patient compliance and optimisation of glycaemic control. Evaluation of QoL and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) will require a standardised approach to allow comparability of the results and evidence.

Usage of Hydrocolloid-Based Plasters in Patients Who Have Developed Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Isobornyl Acrylate While Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

BACKGROUND

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems replace more and more capillary self-monitoring of blood glucose by patients with diabetes. However, at least a subset of patients experience adverse skin reactions such as severe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) after prolonged usage of CGM systems. A major allergen isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) has been identified recently.

OBJECTIVES

After developing an ACD, patients have difficulties in continuing the usage of their CGM system (and also of, eg, certain patch pumps). Most of such patients look for possibilities to continue the usage of, eg, a CGM system that requires intermittent scanning (iscCGM, Freestyle Libre).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eight patients with a known ACD were supplied with different hydrocolloid-based plasters (n = 5 with Hansaplast blister plaster, n = 2 with Cutimed Hydro B from BSN, and n = 1 with Stomahesive baseplate from Convatec). They attached these plasters to their skin underneath their iscCGM system.

RESULTS

All patients were able to continue the usage of this iscCGM system when using such plasters.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ACD benefit from the usage of such plasters; however, some limitations have to be acknowledged.

Allergic contact dermatitis in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes: An emerging issue

AIMS

Aim of our observational study was to assess the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes who use technological devices for diabetes treatment and its management. Secondary outcome was to identify possible clinical and/or demographic variables that could be associated to contact dermatitis.

METHODS

Among a total of 215 patients using insulin pumps and/or glucose sensors followed-up at our Pediatric Diabetes Centre between January and September 2018, 64 patients were enrolled and 42 (19 male and 23 female) completed the study. Demographic and clinical features of the study population were statistically analysed. All the patients underwent patch testing with specific allergens belonged to resin and acrylate classes.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients experienced skin reactions suggestive of allergic contact dermatitis, demonstrating a prevalence of 8.4%. None of the demographic or clinical variables were associated to skin reactions. Colophonium was the most identified sensitizing allergen (87.5% of the cases).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of sensitization to allergens included into diabetes devices among pediatric patients is higher than commonly assumed. Well-designed studies are needed to better investigate the association between type 1 diabetes and allergic contact dermatitis. Moreover, we suggest that manufactures should supply detailed information about adhesives in order to avoid dermatological complications and consequently a worsening of disease management and patients' quality of life.

Contact Allergy-Emerging Allergens and Public Health Impact

Contact allergy (sensitisation) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) resulting from it have a considerable public health impact. For the present review, all pertinent articles were systematically searched via Medline and Web of Science™; additionally, all available issues of the journals "Contact Dermatitis" and "Dermatitis" were manually searched, covering the years 2018-2019, thereby extending and re-focusing a previous similar review. New allergens, or previously described allergens found in a new exposure context or of other current importance, are described in sections according to substance classes, e.g., metals, preservatives, fragrances. As a common finding in many investigations, a lack of information on product composition has been noted, for instance, regarding a newly described allergen in canvas shoes (dimethylthiocarbamylbenzothiazole sulfide) and, most notably, absence of co-operation from manufacturers of glucose-monitoring devices and insulin pumps, respectively. These latter devices have been shown to cause severe ACD in a considerable number of diabetic patients caused by the liberation of isobornyl acrylate and N,N'-dimethylacrylamide, respectively, as demonstrated by an international collaboration between dermatologists and chemists. Improved and complete ingredient labelling for all types of products, and not just cosmetics, must be put on the legislative agenda.

Cutaneous Complications With Continuous or Flash Glucose Monitoring Use: Systematic Review of Trials and Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)/flash glucose monitoring (FGM) use in diabetes management is increasing. Cutaneous complications associated with these devices were reported. We conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use.

METHODS

We identified observational studies and intervention trials that report on cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use up to January 14, 2019. Studies were identified through Medline, Embase, and PubMed, or with hand searching of the previous publications. Screening was duplicated and data extracted to consider four main themes: incidence rate and severity, participant perspectives of cutaneous complications, potential solutions, and future directions in diabetic technology relevant to reducing cutaneous complications.

RESULTS

A total of 54 eligible studies were identified. The overall event rate of cutaneous complications reported from 19 trials was one event per eight weeks of sensor wear-time of which 1.5% were considered severe. The most common cutaneous complications were wear-related erythema, itching, and induration. Although skin irritations were the most common cause of CGM/FGM discontinuation, most users experienced less pain or discomfort with CGM/FGM than capillary blood glucose testing. Future technological advances may reduce, but not eliminate cutaneous complications.

CONCLUSION

The incidence rate of reported cutaneous complications with CGM/FGM use from the available literature is low, with one event per eight weeks of sensor wear-time. Reported complication severity was also low, leading to low rates of CGM/FGM discontinuation. However, there appear to be discrepancies between reporting in trial and observational data. Greater constancy in reporting is necessary to understand the frequency of this issue.

[Contact allergy due to insulin pumps and glucose sensor systems]

The design and development of insulin pumps and various glucose sensor systems has an enormous impact on life quality of diabetic patients. Surveillance and therapy of diabetes has improved due to the new diabetic devices, which are affixed to the patients' skin for several days. Since their introduction, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis have been frequently reported. Patients often acquire contact sensitization to isobornyl acrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide or formerly to 2‑ethyl-cyanoacrylate. These contact allergens were found in the patch, in the glue to affix the box on the patch or in the casing of the system itself. Development of contact allergy to substances of these systems may result in the need to abandon modern diabetic devices.

High Prevalence of Skin Reactions Among Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Using New Technologies: The Alarming Role of Colophonium

In the past few years, the increasing use of devices for diabetes treatment, such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps, flash glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring systems, sensor-augmented pumps, and automated insulin delivery devices, has resulted in important improvements in disease management. Meanwhile, the longer a patient uses a device, the greater the likelihood of developing a skin reaction. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most frequently described skin side effect caused by adhesive tapes contained in the insulin infusion sets or glucose sensor sets and used to connect these devices to the body. We describe 18 patients, followed up at our Pediatric Diabetes Centre, who experienced dermatological complications due to diabetes device use from January 2018 to December 2018. All the patients were patch tested with allergens from a "standard" series and from a "plastics and glues" series. Patch tests resulted positive in 66.7% of patients. Colophonium was the most frequently isolated sensitizing allergen (41.1% of cases). It is a complex mixture of >100 compounds derived from pine trees. Colophonium is commonly used, in both unmodified and modified forms, as a fast-acting adhesive for industrial, medical, or other commercial uses. Its presence in the adhesive of the insulin sets and glucose sensors was confirmed by the manufacturer of some devices brand. On the basis of our results, we stress the importance of contacting manufacturers for product information. We also highlight that there should be stricter legal restrictions to label medical adhesives, even if only small amounts of colophonium are used.

Improved well-being and decreased disease burden after 1-year use of flash glucose monitoring (FLARE-NL4)

Introduction

The FreeStyle Libre is a flash glucose monitoring (FSL-FGM) system. Compared with finger-prick based self-monitoring of blood glucose, FSL-FGM may provide benefits in terms of improved glycemic control and decreased disease burden.

Methods

Prospective nationwide registry. Participants with diabetes mellitus (DM) used the FSL-FGM system for a period of 12 months. End points included changes in HbA1c, hypoglycemia, health-related quality of life (12-Item Short Form Health Surveyv2 (SF-12v2) and 3-level version of EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D-3L)), a specifically developed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) questionnaire, diabetes-related hospital admission rate and work absenteeism. Measurements were performed at baseline, and after 6 months and 12 months.

Results

1365 persons (55% male) were included. Mean age was 46 (16) years, 77% of participants had type 1 DM, 16% type 2 DM and 7% other forms. HbA1c decreased from 64 (95%CI 63 to 65) mmol/mol to 60 (95%CI 60 to 61) mmol/mol with a difference of -4 (95% CI -6 to 3) mmol/mol. Persons with a baseline HbA1c >70 mmol/mol had the most profound HbA1c decrease: -9 (95% CI -12 to to 5) mmol/mol. EQ-5D tariff (0.03 (95%CI 0.01 to 0.05)), EQ-VAS (4.4 (95%CI 2.1 to 6.7)) and SF-12v2 mental component score (3.3 (95%CI 2.1 to 4.4)) improved. For most, PROMs improved. Work absenteeism rate (/6 months) and diabetes-related hospital admission rate (/year) decreased significantly, from 18.5% to 7.7% and 13.7% to 2.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Real world data demonstrate that use of FSL-FGM results in improved well-being and decreased disease burden, as well as improvement of glycemic control.

Documentation of Skin-Related Issues Associated with Continuous Glucose Monitoring Use in the Scientific Literature

Background: The average wear time of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems steadily increased over the last years. Increased wear times are likely achieved by using adhesives with a longer adherence time, which may have a more pronounced effect on the skin than adhesives with shorter adherence time. Methods: In this project, a structured literature search was performed to assess how potential skin-related issues with CGM usage have been reported in scientific literature in the last 5 years. The literature search was performed with four search terms in the PubMed database. Results: In sum, 279 articles were analyzed. Skin-related issues were mentioned in 19.0% of articles (53 out of 279). With respect to articles mentioning skin-related issues, CGM performance or efficacy was the study's main topic of most of these studies, whereas the minority used CGM as "add-on" to assess other objectives. There was a varying degree in how detailed skin-related issues were described and no uniform structured documentation was given. While some articles only described findings, other articles already documented final diagnoses, such as contact dermatitis. Furthermore, inconsistent wordings for comparable issues were used. The most frequent issues were pain, itching, erythema, bleeding, bruising, and allergic reactions. Conclusion: To draw possible conclusions about the occurrence of skin-related issues during CGM use, more reports about skin-related issues in scientific literature are needed. A more detailed and uniformly structured documentation, possibly facilitated by a generally accepted guideline for structured descriptions, of skin-related issues could be helpful to enable clear differentiations between the described skin reactions.