Hypoglycemia associated autonomic failure

Abstract

Hypoglycemia unawereness is a complication of type 1 diabetes treatment and of type 2 diabetes treatment treated with insulin or sulfonylureas, characterized by a reduced ability to perceive the onset of episodes of hypoglycemia. In general, it coexists with an insufficient counterregulatory hormonal response to hypoglycemia called: hypoglycemia associated autonomic failure (HAAF). The development of hypoglycemia unawereness and counterregulatory failure to hypoglycemia significantly increase the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Scoring scales have been de-veloped to identify this group of people at high risk of severe hypoglycemia in the clinic. The cornerstone of treatment is to avoid hypoglycemia through a multifactorial intervention of clinical care and structured education.