Prevalence and Presentation of Diabetes-Related Hypoglycemia Amongst Persons with Diabetes in a Tertiary Health Instition in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypoglycaemia is the most common acute complication of Diabetes Mellitus and often treatment-limiting, serious adverse effect of intensive diabetes therapy. Although it is preventable, hypoglycaemic episodes, especially if severe or recurrent may result in significant psychosocial dysfunction and lower quality of life. Aim: To determine the prevalence, frequency and timing of diabetes-related hypoglycaemia amongst persons with diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study involving patients attending the diabetes clinic and selected using systematic random sampling. An interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic characteristics as well as experience of hypoglycaemia in the past 12months and severity graded. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0, IBM SPSS Statistics, New York, USA Result: A total of 216 patients were recruited for the study. Eighty nine patients (41.2%) reported experiencing hypoglycaemia, out of which 46 (51.7%) occurred in the morning before breakfast and 16 (18.0%) experienced severe Hypoglycaemia. Skipped meal (58.4%) and overdose of GLA (31.5%) were the most common recognized causes of hypoglycaemia. Level 1 hypoglycaemia was the commonest grade of hypoglycaemia, while males and those on insulin alone had higher odds of having hypoglycaemia (P=0.059). Conclusion: The reported prevalence of hypoglycaemia amongst persons with diabetes mellitus within the last one year prior to the study was rather high which shows that hypoglycaemia is a common experience amongst type 2 diabetic undergoing management. Continuous patient education on the risks, causes, symptoms, and treatment of hypoglycaemia as well as self-monitoring of blood glucose is recommended for every person with diabetes at every health visits.