Aims/Introduction: We utilized a continuous glucose monitoring device to analyze risk factors for hypoglycemia (defined as a blood glucose level <70 mg/dL) in outpatients with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and Methods: We utilized a continuous glucose monitoring device in 100 out patients (50 of whom were male, 19 of whom were type 1 diabetes, 73 of whom were type 2 diabetes)from April 2017 to October 2017. We useFreeStyle Libre for up to 14 days. We excluded CGM date within 24 hours because those data are not accurate.
Results: Hypoglycemia risk was higher in the patients whose body weight is lighter (72.3±18.0 vs. 57.0±11.3kg,P=0.001), and lower in patients who take more oral hypoglycemic agent (2.2±0.9 vs. 1.5±1.3 kind of medications,P=0.005) and higher in patients who use much insulin (0.27±0.20 vs. 0.41±0.22 units/kg/day,P=0.034) 70 patients have hypoglycemia and 30 of whom are unaware hypoglycemia. Patients with unaware hypoglycemia are significantly older (66.7±14.7vs73.6±11.2 years old P=0.035) and their body weight is significantly lighter (66.3±16.7 vs. 58.0±10.2kg,P=0.013) and their HbA1c is lower (7.5±1.2 vs. 7.0±0.7% P=0.048) and those with a lower average blood glucose level had a significantly higher risk (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06-1.12, P < 0.0001). Patients who has nocturnal hypoglycemia are significantly shorter (161.5±10.4 vs. 157.0±8.0cm,P=0.026) and their body weight are significantly lighter (69.3±16.1 vs. 55.2±10.4kg P<0.001) and their standard deviation is bigger (45.4±18.3 vs. 56.9±20.0 mg/dl P=0.005)
Conclusions: In outpatients,77% patients have hypoglycemia (42% of whom are unaware). The hypoglycemia risk was higher in the patients whose body weight is lighter, and lower in patients who take more oral hypoglycemic agent and higher in patients who use more insulin. Therefore it is important to utilize a continuous glucose monitoring device in such patients and to ensure comprehensive blood glucose control in such patients to prevent hypoglycemia.
A. Mizoguchi: None.
