A general view of epidemiology of hypoglycemia in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Hypoglycemia particularly severe one is important side effect of diabetes therapy with impact on patient´s quality of life and mortality. The highest risk of hypoglycemia is connected with insulin therapy followed by derivates of sulfonylurea (SU) and glinides. The risk of hypoglycemia found in observational studies were 2–3 times higher in patients treated with SU and 3–4 higher when treated with insulin compared with other types of antidiabetics. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased in patients over 75 years of age, with longer period of treatment with insulin and in those treated with several types of antidiabetics.