The rare complication of type 1 DM, which is insulin-dependent edema: Four patient case reports presenting with the same clinical manifestation

Abstract

Insulin is the essential hormone in managing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Severe complications can be seen during treatment. Insulin-dependent edema is a rare complication that can be seen regularly in patients with new diagnoses or poorly controlled diabetes shortly after the start of intensive insulin therapy. It can present itself in various clinical forms, from minimal peripheral edema to heavy pericardial, pleural edema and even heart failure. Although insulin-dependent edema has been known for a long period, the number of cases reported in the literature is very few. We are reporting four cases with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes that developed insulin edema.