open access
The prevalence of hypoglycemic symptoms in diabetic patients treated in outpatient conditions
open access
Abstract
Introduction. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk of hypoglycaemia, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of hypoglycaemia, depending on the type of diabetes, treatment method and plasma glucose control. Material. 263 patients, including 67 with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and 196 with type 2. Mean age 59 ± 16 years, duration 12 ± 9 years, body mass index (BMI) 29 ± 6 kg/m2. Methods. Subjects completed a questionnaire including demographic data, information on treatment, and the occurrence of hypoglycaemia (mild vs. severe). Results. Over the last year, 855 hypoglycaemic episodes occurred in 107 (41%).The incidence of hypoglycaemia is significantly higher in patients with type 1 compared to type 2 diabetes (61% vs. 34% respectively, p < 0.001). In patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin compared to those treated with oral drugs, hypoglycaemia occurred in a significantly higher number of subjects (66% vs. 20%, p < 0.001). Hypoglycaemia was reported in a significantly more frequent in type 1 and mean plasma glucose more than 154 mg/dl vs. below 154 mg/dl over the last year (71% vs. 52%, respectively, p < 0,05). Conclusions. The results indicate the need for modification of educational programs and a greater intensification of treatment guidelines, so that plasma glucose control is not obtained at an expense of an increase in the incidence of hypoglycaemia.
Abstract
Introduction. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk of hypoglycaemia, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of hypoglycaemia, depending on the type of diabetes, treatment method and plasma glucose control. Material. 263 patients, including 67 with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and 196 with type 2. Mean age 59 ± 16 years, duration 12 ± 9 years, body mass index (BMI) 29 ± 6 kg/m2. Methods. Subjects completed a questionnaire including demographic data, information on treatment, and the occurrence of hypoglycaemia (mild vs. severe). Results. Over the last year, 855 hypoglycaemic episodes occurred in 107 (41%).The incidence of hypoglycaemia is significantly higher in patients with type 1 compared to type 2 diabetes (61% vs. 34% respectively, p < 0.001). In patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin compared to those treated with oral drugs, hypoglycaemia occurred in a significantly higher number of subjects (66% vs. 20%, p < 0.001). Hypoglycaemia was reported in a significantly more frequent in type 1 and mean plasma glucose more than 154 mg/dl vs. below 154 mg/dl over the last year (71% vs. 52%, respectively, p < 0,05). Conclusions. The results indicate the need for modification of educational programs and a greater intensification of treatment guidelines, so that plasma glucose control is not obtained at an expense of an increase in the incidence of hypoglycaemia.
Keywords
diabetes, hypoglycemia


Title
The prevalence of hypoglycemic symptoms in diabetic patients treated in outpatient conditions
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
57-61
Published online
2014-05-14
Page views
715
Article views/downloads
1719
Bibliographic record
Diabetologia Kliniczna 2014;3(2):57-61.
Keywords
diabetes
hypoglycemia
Authors
Marek Tłuczykont
Maciej Molsa
Anna Markowicz
Krzysztof Strojek