Abstrakt

Self-reported frequency and impact of non-severe hypoglycemic events in insulin-treated diabetic patients in Denmark

Marie Markert Jensen & Ulrik Pedersen-Bjergaard

Aim: Limited real-world hypoglycemia data exist. We investigated the selfreported frequency and impact of non-severe hypoglycemic events (NSHEs) in Denmark. Patients & methods: Patients with insulin-treated Type 1 (T1DM) or Type 2 (T2DM) diabetes completed four or fewer weekly questionnaires. NSHEs were defined as not requiring thirdparty assistance of their management. Results: From 601 patients, mean NSHEs/week were 1.9 for T1DM and 0.5 for T2DM. Less than half (45%) of all patients were fully aware of hypoglycemia. More than half of all patients (T1DM = 64%; T2DM = 51%) rarely/never reported NSHEs. These patients experienced more NSHEs (p < 0.05). In employed patients, 9% of NSHEs led to lost work time. Conclusion: NSHEs are common and associated with economic burden, but as many patients rarely/never discuss them, the burden may be underestimated.