Hypoglycemias in type 1 and 2 diabetes

Seminars of Diabetes - Vol.25 N.4  July-August 2009
P. Martín Vaquero¹, B. Barquiel Alcalá², M.A. Puma Duque³, A. Lisbona Catalán⁴

 Author Affiliations

Abstract

Hypoglycemia and fear to suffer them are limiting factors, both in patients with type 1 diabetes as well as type 2 diabetes, to achieve and maintain an adequate glycemic control to avoid appearance/ progression of chronic complications. Frequency of hypoglycemic episodes mostly depends on type of diabetes, employed treatment and individual risk factors. Episodes may be minor, asymptomatic, or severe even with loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia may have important clinical outcomes due to an increase in morbidity and mortality and a reduction in quality of life. This situation is feared either by patients or their relatives. Economic implications of severe episodes, both as direct hospital costs as well as indirect costs due to inability to work, are considerable. Therefore, hypoglycemia is the basic limiting factor to achieve glycemic control goals in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Correspondence

Correspondencia: P. Martín Vaquero. Unidad de Diabetes. Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición.
Hospital Universitario «La Paz». Paseo de la Castellana, 261. 28046 Madrid.
Correo electrónico: pmv@anciones.e.telefonica.net

Keywords

type 1 diabetes mellitus type 2 diabetes severe hypoglycemia minor hypoglycemia

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Seminary

Hypoglycemia

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