Tissue Response to Subcutaneous Infusion Catheter

Insulin infusion pump, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and insulin infusion set (IIS) have been developed to be increasingly feasible for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Several recently approved CGMs are transitioning from 7-day to 10-day wear time without the need for fingerprick recalibration. Nevertheless, studies and improvements on IIS, a critical part of insulin pump therapy, have been limited. In particular, the recommended wear time of IIS is still 2-3 days, which can hardly match the current duration of CGM for potential closed-loop system development. It is generally believed that both the inserted catheter and the subsequent infused insulin drug could induce particular subcutaneous tissue response and skin-related complications at the infusion site. In certain cases, poor glycaemic control, increased risk of hypoglycemia, and serious cosmetic impact on people with diabetes were observed. Skin complication has also been attributed as an important factor resulting users to discontinue insulin pump therapy. This article provides the rare systematic review of IIS induced subcutaneous tissue responses and skin complications, including the impacts from the inserted catheters, the subcutaneous infused insulin, and the adhesive or tape used to immobilize the catheter. The FDA's recommendation for the frequency of IIS change was further discussed. Future studies on this topic are required to further understand the IIS-related problems, and future strategies could be developed accordingly to significantly reduce the incidence of these problems, extend the wear time, and increase the acceptance of insulin pump based therapy.

[The Impact of Prolonged Use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in the Control of Type-1 Diabetes]

INTRODUCTION

The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus has increased due to its benefits on glycemic control and on the lifestyle flexibility. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy on glycemic control, body mass index, total daily dose of insulin and complications associated with this therapy, during 20 years of experience in Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who started continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy up until 2005, followed at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Glycated hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, total daily dose of insulin and acute complications associated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy were evaluated immediately prior to initiation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy with follow-up at six months, one year, five, 10, 15 and 20 years. The frequency of acute complications associated with this type of therapy was also evaluated.

RESULTS

This study included 20 patients (seven males, 13 females) with mean disease duration up to the start of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy of 16.1 ± 7.9 years, mean age of onset of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy of 31.1 ± 8.4 years and follow-up during 13.2 ± 2.3 years. The reasons for initiating pump therapy were: inadequate metabolic control in 15 patients, history of asymptomatic or severe hypoglycemia in four patients, and pregnancy/pregnancy planning in one patient. The previous median of glycated hemoglobin A1c was 9.3% (6.5 - 16.0) and, at six months, decreased to the minimum value of 7.2% (5.3 - 9.8); p < 0.0125. The reduction of glycated hemoglobin A1c remained statistically significant in the first 10 years of follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in the body mass index variation at 10 years with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy compared to previous body mass index; 24.7 kg/m2 (18.9 - 31.8) vs 25,5 kg/m2 (18.9 - 38.9), p <0.0125. Daily insulin requirements were reduced from 56.5 U (32.0 - 94.0) to 43.8 U (33.0 - 64.0) (p < 0.0125) at six months and no statistical differences were found in the remaining follow-up. There were two severe episodes of hypoglycemia (incidence 0.0095/patient/year), five episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (0.0238/patient/year) and no infections at the site of catheter insertion.

DISCUSSION

This study shows that continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy improved glycemic control, especially during the first 10 years of follow-up and allowed a significant decrease in total daily dose of insulin in the first six months. The rate of acute complications was low.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy seems effective in achieving metabolic control in selected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Feasibility of subcutaneous gentamicin and pressurized irrigation as adjuvant strategies to reduce surgical site infection in colorectal surgery: results of a pilot study

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a common and costly morbidity after colorectal surgery. This rate remains high even in the setting of strict adherence to Surgical Care Improvement Project Protocols. The aim of our pilot study was to determine the feasibility and safety of subcutaneous gentamicin injection or pressurized irrigation as adjuncts to reduce SSI. A total of 132 patients who underwent colorectal surgery at the VA North Texas Health Care System were prospectively assigned to a pressurized irrigation group (n = 44), a preincision gentamicin injection group (n = 48), or control (n = 40). The primary objective was to assess safety and feasibility of these strategies. Patient demographics were matched among groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify possible predictions of SSI in this cohort. The rate of SSI in the control group was 25 per cent, 13.5 per cent in the pressurized irrigation group, and 12.5 per cent in the gentamicin group (P = 0.26). Combined, the intervention groups had a 13 per cent SSI versus 25 per cent control (P = 0.09). Operative time was not increased by the interventions and no intraoperative complications specifically related to the interventions were noted. Postoperative complications were not different between groups. Both albumin and body mass index were associated with SSI. Body mass index was and independent predictor of SSI (P = 0.006). In conclusion, this pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of the interventions described. There was no detrimental effect of either intervention. There was trend toward a reduction in SSI in the intervention group, which warrants further investigation.

[Subcutaneous rehydration in patients in terminal phase of dementia]

BACKGROUND

Dehydration among seniors is not rare. It is both medical and nursing problem, leading to many complications. Attention is paid to ways of rehydration among seniors in terminal phase of dementia. Aim to evaluate frequency of complications due to subcutaneous rehydration in patients with terminal phase of dementia and to evaluate nurses opinion in relation to this method of rehydration.

METHODS

Observational study has been designed in women psychogeriatric wards, Mental hospital Kroměříž, from June 2012 - December 2013, evaluating frequency of complications due to subcutaneous rehydration - local oedema, local infection, local erythema (60 patients group) and evaluating nurses opinion in relation to this method of rehydration (18 nurses group).

METHODS

observation, interview.

RESULTS

No complications of subcutaneous dehydration was found in 58 cases (96.6%), in 1 case local oedema (1.7%) and in 1 case (1.7%) local erythema manifested. Nurses reported effortles-sness of subcutaneous rehydration together with sparing of their working time and comfort to a patient in comparison with intravenous rehydration therapy.

CONCLUSION

Subcutaneous rehydration seems to be an appropriate method of rehydration in patients with terminal phase of dementia.

Auditory symptoms as an unrecognized manifestation of opioid toxicity: two case reports

Neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal side effects of opioids are well documented, but self-reported hearing disturbance from opioids is often unrecognized. Two cases are presented illustrating a possible association between auditory symptoms and opioid toxicity. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Better treatment of outpatients with type 1 diabetes after introduction of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

INTRODUCTION

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was introduced in the outpatient diabetes clinic in Fredericia, Denmark, in 2005. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of metabolic control and patient satisfaction in type 1 diabetic patients treated with CSII.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 2009-2010, a database with registration of metabolic variables and patient satisfaction was established. The collected material is a combination of retrospective and prospective data. Patient satisfaction was measured by use of the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire Status (DTSQs) and change (DTSQc) versions.

RESULTS

By 31 December 2010, the database contained data from 68 active patients. Compared with before the initiation of CSII, glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) had decreased significantly from 8.0% (5.8-13.7%) to 7.6% (6.1-9.5%). The improved glycaemic control was maintained each year until ≤ 4 years after initiation of CSII (p < 0.01).The fraction of patients with an HbA1c ≤ 7% had increased from 13% to 24%, the fraction of patients with an HbA1c > 9% had decreased from 18% to 3%, and the number of serious attacks of hypoglycaemia had decreased (p < 0.05). Only three episodes of ketoacidosis were observed. The DTSQs and DTSQc showed a higher patient satisfaction during CSII treatment (p < 0.01) than before its introduction. Compared with before the introduction of CSII, the patient satisfaction score had increased from 19 (12-33) to 34.5 (27-36) (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Type 1 diabetes patients who were changed from treatment with multi-injection therapy to CSII showed improved glycaemic control, a reduced number of hypoglycaemic attacks and improved and very high levels of patient satisfaction.

Subcutaneous treprostinil in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Practical considerations

Treprostinil, which is available for subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) administration, has demonstrated efficacy in increasing exercise capacity, reducing signs and symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and improving cardiopulmonary hemodynamics in patients with PAH; however, the infusion site pain commonly experienced with SC treprostinil has limited its use. Prospective and observational clinical studies have shown that the dose of SC treprostinil can be escalated at a higher rate than described in early clinical trials to achieve symptom relief, in part because of favorable tolerability of treatment and the apparent dose independence of site pain. In addition, pain management protocols that include non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic (i.e., topical and systemic) approaches provide analgesic relief from infusion site pain. With experience, physicians and patients have recognized that some infusion sites are better than others, and the frequency of site rotation can be reduced to improve tolerability. Dosing to achieve rapid onset of efficacy and proactively managing infusion site pain enhance the likelihood for a patient with PAH to maintain and derive benefit from SC treprostinil therapy.

Lipoatrophy induced by subcutaneous insulin infusion: ultrastructural analysis and gene expression profiling

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) lipoatrophy (LA) is a rare complication of insulin therapy. We aimed to analyze the ultrastructural and molecular aspects of LA lesions.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

Macroscopic and microscopic morphology of SAT beneath the LA areas from patients with type 1 diabetes treated with Lispro insulin by continuous sc insulin infusion was studied using magnetic resonance imaging, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and quantitative PCR for adipose tissue-specific genes.

RESULTS

SAT was present in LA lesions characterized by: 1) smaller, unilocular perilipin-positive adipocytes, with lipofuscin granules; 2) some "slimmed cells" losing lipid droplets as those we observed during starvation; and 3) numerous perivascular preadipocytes. We did not identify inflammatory cells. SAT in LA areas displayed a strong leptin down-regulation and an increase of AEBP1, a preadipocyte marker.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results clearly indicate that the remarkable reduction in fat cell lipid droplets and adipocyte size justifies the decrease of SAT without a reduction in adipocyte number because of necrosis or apoptosis. Thus, immune cells and any other toxic damaging fat cells were not involved in the generation of LA. We speculate that adipocytes chronically exposed to high local insulin concentrations could become severely insulin resistant, dramatically increasing lipolysis and giving rise to "slimmed cells." Clinical LA regression could be explained by the active recruitment of preadipocytes, even if they were unable to differentiate and regenerate adipose tissue unless the insulin injection was removed.

Circulating insulin antibodies: influence of continuous subcutaneous or intraperitoneal insulin infusion, and impact on glucose control

The purification of animal insulin preparations and the use of human recombinant insulin have markedly reduced the incidence, but not completely suppressed, the development of anti-insulin antibodies (IAs). Advances in technologies concerning the mode of delivery of insulin, i.e. continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), continuous peritoneal insulin infusion (CPII) and more recently inhaled insulin administration, appear to significantly increase circulating levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-IAs in diabetic patients. However, the increase is usually moderate and mostly transient as compared to previous observations with poorly purified animal insulin preparations. The clinical impact of these circulating anti-IAs remains unclear. Nevertheless, several studies have suggested that antibodies could retard insulin action, leading to a worsening of postprandial hyperglycaemia and/or serve as a carrier, thus leading to unexpected hypoglycaemia. CPII may be associated with more marked and sustained increase in IAs levels, possibly related to the use of an unstable insulin and the formation of immunogenic aggregates of insulin. The possible clinical consequences of these high levels of IAs remain to be evaluated because a low-glucose morning syndrome or severe insulin resistance with ketone bodies production have been reported in some cases. In conclusion, even if CSII and CPII may promote the development of circulating IAs, this increase does not lead to immunological insulin resistance, compared to that previously described with animal non-purified insulin preparations, and seems to have only marginal influence on blood glucose control or complications in most diabetic patients.

Use of continuous insulin infusion pumps in young children with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Although insulin pump therapy has been successful in adults and adolescents, its use has been limited in young children because of perceived risk of severe or frequent hypoglycemia. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in young children with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

We searched Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL for clinical trials comparing multiple-dose injection therapy to CSII therapy in children 6 years of age or younger who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at least 6 months prior to study. Primary outcome measures were glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and hypoglycemic episodes. Other outcomes of interest were quality of life and parental satisfaction.

RESULTS

Most studies showed significant improvements in HbA1c and trends of decreased hypoglycemia. Quality of life improved in most CSII groups. Parental satisfaction with therapy was evidenced by continuation of CSII after study completion.

DISCUSSION

Current evidence indicates CSII is a safe and effective method of insulin delivery in young children. When parents are highly motivated, CSII should be offered as a mode of insulin delivery for this age group.

Apomorphine nodules in Parkinson's disease: best practice considerations

Apomorphine hydrochloride infusion therapy is used by approximately 1000 people with advanced Parkinson's disease in the UK (Britannia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 2008). Subcutaneous nodules that develop as a result of these infusions can cause discomfort and may impact on the effectiveness of the drug therapy. Community nursing teams have a key role in supporting patients on apomorphine; they may be responsible for administering the drug, or supporting and empowering the patient or their carer to administer the infusion. A recent randomized controlled pilot study by a research group at the University of Hertfordshire investigated the use of therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of apomorphine nodules. A number of observations about apomorphine nodules and the technique used to site infusions were made which may help to promote safe and effective management of apomorphine therapy. This article is a collaboration between one of the researchers and a Parkinson's disease nurse specialist from the University College of London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It draws on best practice observations from both research and clinical experience and puts them in context of published research. It summarizes best practice considerations for administering infusions, identifies the current treatment and management options that participants from the trial reported using on their nodules, emphasizes the need for standardized documentation and suggests a rating system that may be useful to document nodule severity.