Bullous Disease of Diabetes

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Bullous disease of diabetes (bullosis diabeticorum) is a distinct, spontaneous, noninflammatory, blistering condition of acral skin that is unique to patients with diabetes mellitus. Bullous disease of diabetes tends to arise in long-standing diabetes or in conjunction with multiple complications. Prominent acral accentuation of bullous disease of diabetes lesions suggests a susceptibility to trauma-induced changes, but the definitive explanation awaits elucidation. In the United States, bullous disease of diabetes has been reported to occur in approximately 0.5% of diabetic patients. Male patients have twice the risk as female patients. ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}

Kramer first reported bullous-like lesions in diabetic patients in 1930 ^[6] ; Rocca and Pereyra first characterized this as a phlyctenar (appearing like a burn-induced blister) in 1963. ^[7] Cantwell and Martz are credited with naming the condition bullosis diabeticorum in 1967. ^[8] It is also termed bullous disease of diabetes and diabetic bullae.

While lesions typically heal spontaneously within 2-6 weeks, they often recur in the same or different locations. Secondary infections may also develop; these are characterized by cloudy blister fluid and require a culture. ^[9]

The clinician should consider direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies to exclude histologically similar entities (eg, noninflammatory bullous pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, porphyria cutanea tarda, other bullous porphyrias), as DIF studies are only rarely positive in bullosis diabeticorum. ^{[10, 11]}

Pseudoporphyria blistering due to photosensitizing drugs, chronic dialysis regimens, or ultraviolet A tanning devices should also be considered.

Specific treatment is unwarranted unless secondary infections (eg, staphylococcal) occur, thereby warranting antibiotic therapy. However, aspiration of fluid from lesions using a small-bore needle might help prevent accidental rupture.

See Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for complete information on these topics.

For patient education information, see the Diabetes Center.

The pathophysiology of bullous disease of diabetes (bullosis diabeticorum) is likely multifactorial. Patients with diabetes have been shown to have a lower threshold for suction-induced blister formation compared with nondiabetic controls, ^[12] and because of the acral prominence of diabetic bullae, the role of trauma has been speculated.

Electron microscopic evidence has also suggested an abnormality in anchoring fibrils. However, this alone does not explain the often spontaneous development of multiple lesions at several locations.

In some patients, blisters are related to UV exposure, especially in those with nephropathy. Poor blood glucose regulation (hypoglycemia ^[13] and hyperglycemia ^[14] , or widely varying levels ^{[13, 14]} ) has been associated with blister formation.

The etiology of bullous disease of diabetes (bullosis diabeticorum) is unknown. Prominent acral accentuation of bullous disease of diabetes lesions suggests a susceptibility to trauma-induced changes, but the definitive explanation awaits elucidation.

Many, but not all, patients with bullous disease of diabetes have nephropathy or neuropathy; some authors have hypothesized an etiologic association, possibly related to a local sub-basement membrane-zone connective-tissue alteration. Hyalinosis of small vessels noted on biopsy specimens has led some authorities to speculate microangiopathy-associated blister induction. In some, especially in patients with neuropathy, UV exposure is also thought to play a role. ^[13] The postulated importance of glycemic control remains to be confirmed.

Bullous disease of diabetes (bullosis diabeticorum) is rare, with only about 100 cases reported. In the United States, bullous disease of diabetes has been reported to occur in approximately 0.5% of diabetic patients, although its frequency may actually be higher due to underreporting of blistering. Patients with uncomplicated or newly diagnosed disease, including type 2 diabetes, may also be affected.

The age of onset of bullous disease of diabetes typically ranges from 17 to 84 years, although a case in a 4-year old child has been reported. ^[15] Bullous disease is more frequent in adult men suffering from long-standing, uncontrolled diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. ^[1]

Bullous disease of diabetes (bullosis diabeticorum) blisters typically heal spontaneously, within 2-6 weeks. Although secondary infection may develop, the prognosis for bullous disease of diabetes is typically good. Bullous disease of diabetes lesions often heal without significant scarring, but they may be recurrent and also may lead to ulceration. ^[13] There have also been reports of osteomyelitis arising at a site of bullous disease of diabetes ^[16] and reports of amputation due to infection. ^[17]

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Bustan RS, Wasim D, Yderstræde KB, Bygum A. Specific skin signs as a cutaneous marker of diabetes mellitus and the prediabetic state – a systematic review. Dan Med J. 2017 Jan. 64(1):[Medline]. [Full Text].

Taylor SP, Dunn K. Bullosis diabeticorum. J Gen Intern Med. 2017 Feb. 32(2):220. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Brzezinski P, Chiriac AE, Pinteala T, Foia L, Chiriac A. Diabetic dermopathy (“shin spots”) and diabetic bullae (“bullosis diabeticorum”) at the same patient. Pak J Med Sci. 2015 Sep-Oct. 31(5):1275-6. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Michael MJ, Mefford JM, Lahham S, Chandwani CE. Bullosis diabeticorum. West J Emerg Med. 2016 Mar. 17(2):188. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Kramer DW. Early or warning signs of impending gangrene in diabetes. Med J Rec. 1930. 132:338-42.

Rocca FF, Pereyra E. Phlyctenar lesions in the feet of diabetic patients. Diabetes. 1963 May-Jun. 12:220-2. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Cantwell AR Jr, Martz W. Idiopathic bullae in diabetics. Bullosis diabeticorum. Arch Dermatol. 1967 Jul. 96(1):42-4. [Medline].

Zhang AJ, Garret M, Miller S. Bullosis diabeticorum: case report and review. N Z Med J. 2013 Mar 15. 126(1371):91-4. [Medline].

Vangipuram R, Hinojosa T, Lewis DJ, et al. Bullosis diabeticorum: a neglected bullous dermatosis. Skinmed. 2018. 16(1):77-9. [Medline].

Sonani H, Abdul Salim S, Garla VV, Wile A, Palabindala V. Bullosis diabeticorum: a rare presentation with immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposition related vasculopathy. Case report and focused review. Am J Case Rep. 2018 Jan 15. 19:52-6. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Bernstein JE, Levine LE, Medenica MM, Yung CW, Soltani K. Reduced threshold to suction-induced blister formation in insulin-dependent diabetics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1983 Jun. 8(6):790-1. [Medline].

Larsen K, Jensen T, Karlsmark T, Holstein PE. Incidence of bullosis diabeticorum–a controversial cause of chronic foot ulceration. Int Wound J. 2008 Oct. 5(4):591-6. [Medline].

Wilson TC, Snyder RJ, Southerland CC. Bullosis diabeticorum: is there a correlation between hyperglycemia and this symptomatology?. Wounds. 2012 Dec. 24(12):350-5. [Medline].

Chiriac A, Costache I, Podoleanu C, Naznean A, Stolnicu S. Bullosis diabeticorum in a young child: case report of a very rare entity and a literature review. Can J Diabetes. 2017 Apr. 41(2):129-31. [Medline].

Tunuguntla A, Patel KN, Peiris AN, Zakaria WN. Bullosis diabeticorum associated with osteomyelitis. Tenn Med. 2004 Nov. 97(11):503-4. [Medline].

Lipsky BA, Baker PD, Ahroni JH. Diabetic bullae: 12 cases of a purportedly rare cutaneous disorder. Int J Dermatol. 2000 Mar. 39(3):196-200. [Medline].

Gupta V, Gulati N, Bahl J, Bajwa J, Dhawan N. Bullosis diabeticorum: rare presentation in a common disease. Case Rep Endocrinol. 2014. 2014:862912. [Medline]. [Full Text].

James WD, Odom RB, Goette DK. Bullous eruption of diabetes mellitus. A case with positive immunofluorescence microscopy findings. Arch Dermatol. 1980 Oct. 116(10):1191-2. [Medline].

Basarab T, Munn SE, McGrath J, Russell Jones R. Bullosis diabeticorum. A case report and literature review. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1995 May. 20(3):218-20. [Medline].

Toonstra J. Bullosis diabeticorum. Report of a case with a review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1985 Nov. 13(5 Pt 1):799-805. [Medline].

[Guideline] American Diabetes Association. 10. Microvascular complications and foot care. Diabetes Care. 2017 Jan. 40(Suppl 1):S88-S98. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Byrd V, Nemeth A. Steroid-induced diabetes complicating treatment of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: a preventable treatment complication stresses the importance of primary care follow-up. Cureus. 2018 Nov 19. 10(11):e3608. [Medline]. [Full Text].

Maureen B Poh-Fitzpatrick, MD Professor Emerita of Dermatology and Special Lecturer, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Maureen B Poh-Fitzpatrick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, New York Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jacqueline M Junkins-Hopkins, MD Associate Professor, Director, Division of Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Jacqueline M Junkins-Hopkins, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Bullous Disease of Diabetes

Research & References of Bullous Disease of Diabetes|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
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