Effect of lipohypertrophy on the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Revista de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 697 - 701
• Main Authors: Cynthia Ortiz-Roa, Análida Elizabeth Pinilla-Roa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Diabetes mellitus tipo 2; Insulina; Insulina de acción prolongada; Lipodistrofia; Resistencia a la insulina
• ISSN: 0120-0011; 2357-3848
• DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v65n4.53108

Lipodystrophy (lipohypertrophy, lipoatrophy) is one of the most common complications of subcutaneous insulin injections. This paper presents the case of a 46-year-old patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, treated with insulin glargine 45UI/day, no glycemic control and multiple adjustments and hospitalizations. On admission, self-monitoring showed off-target basal and postprandial values, baseline glucose of 299 mg/dL and HbA1c of 11%. Medical history revealed flaws in the technique used for insulin administration, particularly, lack of application site rotation. Physical examination allowed to observe lipohypertrophy caused by excess bilateral infraumbilical adipose panniculus and induration of the subcutaneous cellular tissue. Ultrasound exposed fat infiltration in anterior recti. The patient was instructed on the correct technique for applying insulin with daily rotation of the application site, and allowing the areas affected by lipohypertrophy to rest. A self-monitoring guide was also provided. Self-monitoring within the first 10 days showed improvement in baseline glucose levels up to 116 mg/dL and borderline value of 75 mg/dL, compared to the previous baseline blood glucose level of 242 mg/dL with the same type of insulin and dose. Close follow-up was done to define the required insulin dose and to monitor possible hypoglycemia, obtaining an improvement in HbA1c of 9.2% and 8.8% at 4 and 11 months, respectively.