P-131: Contact dermatitis due to diabetes devices and what the patch test can show US
A K Berg, U Ahrensbøll-Friis, C Zachariae, J SvenssonAbstract
Introduction
Contact dermatitis (CD) due to diabetes devices is seen in 25-33% of users. Referral to dermatologists for patch testing can distinguish between allergic or irritative CD with both a patch series and the original patch.
Objectives
The aim was to describe cases of CD handled with patch testing including dermatologic conclusions, allergens and consequences of CD.
Methods
Retrospective, observational longitudinal quality improvement study in which all referrals to Gentofte Dermatologic department with CD to diabetes devices in 2020-2024 were included and handled pseudo-anonymized through a Redcap platform.
Results
In total 65 cases of CD were included (34 pediatric cases and 31 adult cases). Allergic CD was classified in 36 (55%) of the cases due to a positive patch test for at least one known allergen in 22 (61%) of these cases, whereas 14 (39%) cases were considered allergic CD due to relevant positive patch test results to their original device patch. The known allergens could be divided in mainly two groups: colophony (including modifications and derivates) or acrylic. Significant associations were found between brands of used pumps or sensor and the likelihood of respectively irritative or allergic CD. No differences were seen among age or atopic disposition, but more than 1/5 of the irritative CD were solved by discontinuation of devices, whereas many of the allergic CD were solved by use of patches between device and skin. More than 70% of the cases were using steroid lotion with the risk of further skin-atrophy.
Conclusions
Allergic CD was diagnosed in more than half of the referred cases, where less than 2/3 were identified due to the known allergen plaster series and the rest due to original individual device patches, highlighting the need for full declaration of used adhesives in diabetic devices. The consequence of an irritative CD was discontinuation of diabetes device in 20% of the cases, highlighting the need for better solutions.