Relation Between Insulin-induced Hypoglycemia and Serum Haptoglobin Level: A Report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center

Analysis of data obtained through a comprehensive drug surveillance program revealed a negative association (p < 0.03) between mean serum haptoglobin levels and the occurrence of hypoglycemia among 227 diabetics receiving Regular insulin in combination with NPH insulin. In addition, when the data were divided into four haptoglobin strata, the frequencies of hypoglycemia ranged from 30 per cent in patients with the lowest haptoglobin levels to 12 per cent in patients with the highest levels. This trend is significant (p <0.03).