Nursing a patient with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults with insulin-related lipodystrophy, allergy, and exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a special type of type 1 diabetes mellitus. During the early stages, patients with LADA are treated with oral antidiabetics. However, insulin treatment is still required as islet function gradually declines. Once patients have developed insulin allergy, clinical treatment and nursing care become very challenging. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we report a case of LADA with insulin-related lipodystrophy, allergy, and exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome during insulin treatment, thus making it very difficult to effectively control glucose levels with insulin. We attempted subcutaneous injection and an insulin pump to desensitize the patient’s response to insulin, and finally assisted the doctor to select the appropriate insulin treatment for the patient. We describe the management of this patient from a nursing viewpoint. CONCLUSION: We summarize the nursing experience of a case with complex insulin allergy requiring desensitization treatment. Our approach is very practical and can be applied to similar patients needing insulin desensitization.