REDUCTION IN SKIN IRRITATION BY CORTICOSTEROID APPLICATION PRIOR TO USE OF THE GLUCOWATCH G2 ® BIOGRAPHER

hydrocortisone) sprays were selected. The sprays were applied to the forearms of 66 diabetic subjects prior to G2 Biographer application. G2 Biographers were worn for 15 hours, with two home blood glucose measurements taken per hour for reference. Irritation was assessed periodically by trained observers using a modified Draize scale and by the study subjects. Results: Skin irritation was reduced by pretreatment with both corticosteroid sprays, with the fraction of subjects who experienced moderate irritation decreased by 57% and 43%, for the triamcinolone acetonide and hydrocortisone sprays, respectively. The irritation reduction effect from the single pre-application treatment persisted at the one-week assessment. User self- assessment of irritation indicated significant reductions in itchiness and overall perceived irritation. Pretreatment caused no difference in the ability of the device to produce clinically useful glucose readings. Conclusions: A single preapplication of Kenalog or Cortizone-10 Quick Shot sprays significantly reduced skin irritation, did not adversely affect clinical accuracy, and are a useful method to enable users to gain more benefit from frequent, automatic glucose measurements obtained by the GlucoWatch G2 Biographer. References: