Insulin-Related Lipohypertrophy in Hemodialyzed Diabetic People: a Multicenter Observational Study and a Methodological Approach

Abstract

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (CVM) and diabetes mellitus (DM), which in many cases is treated with insulin. Skin lipohypertrophy (LH) very often occurs in insulin-treated (IT) patients as a consequence of inadequate injection technique and is one of the most prominent contributors to hypoglycemia (HYPO), glycemic variability (GV), and poor metabolic control (PMC). Method: The aim of our multicenter observational study was to assess LH prevalence at self-injection sites and any possible factors predicting high LH/HYPO rates and GV in 296 dialyzed ITDM patients characterized by 64 ± 7 years of age, 7 ± 2 years disease duration, 2.6 ± 2.2 years dialysis duration, preferred pen utilization (80%), and basal-bolus regimen (87.4%) with self-injections (62.6%) largely surpassing caregiver-assisted ones (16.9%), and a mix of the two injection methods (20.5%). Results: LH was detected in 57% of patients. Univariate analysis followed by backwards stepwise multivariate logistic regression function showed increased odds for developing LH in patients characterized by needle reuse, smaller injection areas, missed injection site rotation, higher HbA1c levels, and more prominent rates of HYPO and GV. Conclusion: This was the first time such observation was made. It is now time for further studies aimed at providing evidence also in ESRD ITDM patients for the cause–effect relationship among wrong injection behavior, LH, and poor metabolic control and for the long-term preventative role of suitable educational countermeasures.