Frequency and Predictors of Self-Reported Hypoglycemia in Insulin-Treated Diabetes

Aims. hypoglycemia is a limiting factor for achieving stringent glycemic control in diabetes. this study analyzes the frequency and predictors of hypoglycemia in insulin-treated diabetes in an ambulatory setting. methods. a retrospective chart review was performed to study self-monitored blood glucose (smbg) data for 3 months prior to a patient's hba1c test. results. hypoglycemia occurred more frequently in type 1 than in type 2 diabetes; however,19% of type 2 diabetes patients did experience at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia. for type 1 diabetes,hypoglycemia had a positive association with glycemic variability and duration of diabetes and a negative association with hba1c and lowest blood glucose (bg). for type 2 diabetes,a positive association was noted with glycemic variability and a negative association with age and lowest bg. conclusions. delineating factors predisposing to hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes is difficult. lower hba1c is a potential predictor of hypoglycemia in type 1 but not in type 2 diabetes. longer duration of diabetes for type 1 and younger age for type 2 are associated with more hypoglycemia. glycemic variability portends increased risk for hypoglycemia and should be a focus of further research. © 2017 samir malkani and anupam kotwal.