Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion as an Effective Method of Desensitization Therapy for Diabetic Patients with Insulin Allergy: A 4-year Single-center Experience

Purpose: This article summarizes our experiences in the application of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) as a method of rapid desensitization therapy for diabetic patients with insulin allergy that was subsequently switched to a regimen of multiple-dose injections for long-term insulin therapy.

Methods: The clinical data of 11 diabetic patients with insulin allergy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 1, 2008, through December 31, 2011, were retrospectively analyzed.

Findings: All 11 conditions were diagnosed by case history, skin testing, determination of serum specific anti-insulin IgE, and reaction to withdrawal of insulin. Seven patients accepted the traditional injection method of desensitization, and 5 patients accepted CSII with the protocol designed for this study (1 patient accepted CSII after failure by the formal method). Six of the 7 patients who accepted the traditional method and all 5 patients who accepted CSII had successful results. All 5 patients in the CSII group switched to a regimen of multiple dosage injections. In a survey of 28 nurses, both experienced nurses and practical nurses preferred to use CSII as the method of desensitization.

Implications: It is feasible and effective for diabetic patients with insulin allergy to use CSII as a method of rapid desensitization with subsequent switching to a regimen of multiple-dose injections for long-term insulin therapy.