Preprint Article Version 3 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Risk of Hospitalization in Diabetic Patients with Severe Hypoglycemia: A Single-Center Study

Version 1 : Received: 8 September 2022 / Approved: 13 September 2022 / Online: 13 September 2022 (02:35:45 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 18 September 2022 / Approved: 19 September 2022 / Online: 19 September 2022 (05:30:31 CEST)
Version 3 : Received: 21 September 2022 / Approved: 22 September 2022 / Online: 22 September 2022 (03:22:16 CEST)

How to cite: Pieramati, L.; Mantovani, E.; Lucchini, G.; Amato, M. Risk of Hospitalization in Diabetic Patients with Severe Hypoglycemia: A Single-Center Study. Preprints 2022, 2022090153. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202209.0153.v3 Pieramati, L.; Mantovani, E.; Lucchini, G.; Amato, M. Risk of Hospitalization in Diabetic Patients with Severe Hypoglycemia: A Single-Center Study. Preprints 2022, 2022090153. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202209.0153.v3

Abstract

Background: Severe hypoglycemia is defined as low blood glucose levels that requires another person to be treated. Severe hypoglycemia is an emergency and is a complication that can occur in people taking insulin and some anti-diabetic drugs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with hospitalization. Methods: We performed a retrospective study based on the clinical records of adults with severe hypoglycemia who were admitted consecutively to the Emergency Department (ED) of the Carlo Poma Hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. Results: Overall, 50 patients were identified and most of these were elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. They were treated with oral hypoglycemic drugs such as sulfonylureas or glinides (42%), insulin (46%) or both (6%). Hospitalization rates and in-hospital deaths occurred in 62% and in 4%, respectively. No risk factors were statistically significant correlated with hospitalization. The frailty of the elderly patients and their comorbidities were often the reason of hospitalization, rather than the episode of severe hypoglycemia. Conclusions: In our study, episodes of severe hypoglycemia can be a sign of the frailty of elderly diabetic patients and poor home care, who often require hospitalization.

Keywords

hypoglycemia; hospitalization; diabetes

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Endocrinology and Metabolism

Comments (1)

Comment 1
Received: 22 September 2022
Commenter: Leonardo Pieramati
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author
Comment: Minor revision.
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