Patch Testing in Individuals With Diabetes Using Medical Devices. Part 2-Contact Allergy to Medical Device Allergens...

Previous studies on contact allergy to diabetes medical devices (MDs) are based on patients referred for patch testing due to suspected allergic contact dermatitis.

To present real-world data on contact allergy to MD allergens among diabetes MD users. To suggest a MD patch test series.

Adults with type 1 diabetes using diabetes MDs followed up at two endocrinology departments were invited to be patch tested with a novel MD patch test series.

Of the 204 participants (114 with skin rash to diabetes MDs, 90 without), 16.2% were positive to allergens found in diabetes MDs. The prevalence was significantly higher in those with skin rash to diabetes MDs versus without (28.1% vs. 1.1%; adjusted p-value < 0.001). For allergens found in diabetes MDs, the highest contact allergy rates were seen to isobornyl acrylate (10.3%), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (4.9%), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (3.4%), and dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate (2.9%).

Among diabetes MD users, the prevalence of contact allergy to MD allergens was remarkably high. 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate has not previously been reported as a culprit allergen in diabetes MDs, which underlines the importance of repeated chemical analyses and continuous update of the MD series. A better prevention of MD-related contact allergies is called for.