1. Real-world Patient-reported Rates of Non-severe Hypoglycaemic Events in Germany.
- Author
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B. Kulzer, L. Seitz, and W. Kern
- Subjects
HYPOGLYCEMIA ,INSULIN therapy ,PEOPLE with diabetes ,TYPE 2 diabetes ,PATIENTS - Abstract
Aims: Hypoglycaemia is a common side eff ect of insulin therapy in diabetes patients, with negative physical and emotional impacts. Despite this, there are few studies investigating the frequency of non-severe hypoglycaemic events from the perspective of patients in the real-world setting. We investigated self-reported NSHE frequency and levels of hypoglycaemia awareness in Germany. Methods: Respondents > 15 years with Type 1 or insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes (receiving basal only, basal-bolus or other insulin regimens) were recruited using online panels to complete ⩽ 4 questionnaires. Questionnaires collected demographics, non-severe hypoglycaemic event rates and patient-reported level of hypoglycaemia awareness. Non-severe hypoglycaemic event rates are reported as respondent-week records and calculated using data from all respondents completing at least one questionnaire. Results: A total of 1 771 respondent-week records were obtained from 614 participants. Mean non-severe hypoglycaemic event rates per respondent-week were 1.6 for Type 1 and 0.6-0.8 for Type 2, with estimated annual rates of 83 and 31-42 respectively. Two-thirds of Type 1 (65 %) and Type 2 (61-72 %) respondents reported impaired levels of awareness or unawareness of hypoglycaemic events (inability or impaired ability to recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia). Respon dents' self-reported hypoglycaemiaawareness was signifi cantly associated with the proportion of asymptomatic non-severe hypoglycaemic events; respondents classifi ed as being unaware of hypoglycaemia had a higher proportion of asymptomatic non-severe hypoglycaemic events than aware respondents. Conclusion: Non-severe hypoglycaemic events are common in people with Type 1 or insulintreated Type 2 diabetes in the real-world setting in Germany but may still be underestimated due to an inability to recognise the symptoms of hypoglycaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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