Abstract
Patient’s skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses are the primary criteria that determine the optimal insulin needle length in subcutaneous insulin treatment. The present study aims to measure skin thickness and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness in patients with diabetes mellitus and to investigate the association of these measurements with waist circumference and body mass index. The study included 449 subjects (152 patients with DM and 297 healthy controls, mean age: 44.58 ± 14.25 year) aged 18 years or older. The primary endpoint was the time of comparison of skin thicknesses and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses between patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects and the secondary endpoint was the time of assessment of the relationship between skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses and body mass index and waist circumference. Skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography. Overall, average skin thickness values were 1.95 mm (1.05-3.92) for triceps, 2.35 mm (1.07-3.82) for anterior abdomen and 1.97 mm (1.12-3.12) for anterior thigh, while subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses were 6.42 mm (1.01-33.5) for triceps, 15.73 mm (1.04-39.3) for anterior abdomen and 7.92 mm (1.48-31.6) for anterior thigh. Triceps and anterior thigh skin thickness values were higher in the diabetes mellitus group compared to healthy controls (p<0.01 for both) while subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses were similar between the two groups. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and waist circumference and between skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses (p<0.01 for both). The largest skin thickness measured in the present study was 3.92 mm, which supports the previous reports that short needle tips could be used safely in individuals with diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Delivering the drug safely to the subcutaneous tissue without any leakage or discomfort and selecting the appropriate needle length to achieve these are the objectives of insulin injections in diabetic patients [1]
Skin thickness and subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses were evaluated by the type of diabetes and by whether the patient was on insulin therapy
The results of the present study demonstrated higher skin and, more markedly, subcutaneous adipose tissues thicknesses in subjects with higher waist circumference and body mass index
Summary
Delivering the drug safely to the subcutaneous tissue without any leakage or discomfort and selecting the appropriate needle length to achieve these are the objectives of insulin injections in diabetic patients [1]. Long needles that are recommended for adults (e.g., 12.7 mm) have been associated with an increased risk of intramuscular injection while shorter needles were shown to be safer and better tolerated even in obese individuals [5,6]. Injection site skin thickness has been shown to vary minimally in diabetic adults depending on some demographics, including body mass index (BMI). Ultrasonography is described as a reliable method for measuring skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
