Risk of self-reported hypoglycemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the various factors that contribute to self-reported hypoglycemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:This is a prospective cohort study that included 1, 010 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were hospitalized in Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital from April to September 2019.Patients were selected using the convenient sampling method and were between the ages of 60-90(66.7±5.3)years with a disease course of 0.5-40.0 years.Baseline data was collected through questionnaires and patients were followed up for six months.The study observed self-reported hypoglycemia events and analyzed the influencing factors of self-reported hypoglycemia using logistic regression.Results:Out of the 1, 010 patients who participated in the study, 901(89.2%)completed it.Of those who completed the study, 321(35.6%)reported experiencing hypoglycemia.The median frequency of hypoglycemia was found to be 3(2, 4)times.Several factors were found to be influential in self-reported hypoglycemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.These factors included waist circumference, HbA1c, thiazolidinediones combined with insulin therapy, frequency of hypoglycemia in the past year, blood glucose prevention education, and fear of hypoglycemia.All of these factors had a significant impact on self-reported hypoglycemia(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Medical professionals should prioritize patients who are undergoing thiazolidinediones combined with insulin therapy and frequently experience hypoglycemia.They should address the patients' fear of hypoglycemia and provide them with comprehensive education.