Older people with type 1 diabetes are often unaware of hypoglycemia

Older people with type 1 diabetes usually suffer from hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia for more than an hour a day, suggesting that research be presented on Monday, March 25 at the annual ENDO 2019 conference. the Endocrine Society, in New Orleans.

Those who do not realize that their blood glucose is too low can spend more than 100 minutes a day in the hypoglycemic range, increasing their risk of seizures, loss of consciousness and death.

Until now, data on the time spent by older people with type 1 diabetes in hypoglycemia was limited, according to lead researcher Anders L. Carlson, MD, medical director of the International Diabetes Center. of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"This study on older people shows that these patients indeed spend more than an hour a day in a series of hypoglycemias, which exposes them to a risk of lowering blood sugar," Carlson said. "Those who do not feel as low as others can be particularly at risk."

Low blood sugar can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness. If the blood glucose falls below a normal level and is not treated, it can be dangerous. Severe hypoglycemia is treated with an injection of glucagon hormone. Untreated severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and death.

Many people with type 1 diabetes have low blood sugar but have no symptoms, a condition called hypoglycemia unconsciousness. Because they do not know when their blood sugar is low, they do not know that they have to treat it. This exposes them to a risk of severe hypoglycemia, which requires the help of another person to help them recover. They are also less likely to be awake from sleep.

The study reflects baseline data in a randomized clinical trial of 203 adults aged 60 years and older with type 1 diabetes and using a continuous glucose meter for up to 21 days . The monitor automatically monitors blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. A continuous blood glucose meter uses alarms to alert patients when their blood glucose is low or begins to drop quickly.

"The findings underscore the need for interventions to help reduce the risk of severe hypoglycemia in this age group," Carlson said.

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The endocrine society