19 Nov Hypoglycemia Linked To Increased Mortality in Hospitalized Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Amit Akirov, MD
Institute of Endocrinology
Rabin Medical Center- Beilinson Hospital
Petach Tikva, Israel
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: As hypoglycemia is common among hospitalized patients with and without diabetes mellitus, we aimed to investigate the association between spontaneous and insulin-related hypoglycemia including severe hypoglycemia and all-cause mortality among a large cohort of hospitalized patients.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: In our large cohort, almost 1 in 10 patients hospitalized to medical wards had at least one episode of hypoglycemia, including a quarter of patients treated with insulin during the hospitalization. Hypoglycemia, whether insulin-related or non-insulin-related, is associated with increased short- and long-term mortality risk.
With moderate hypoglycemia, mortality risk was higher in insulin-treated patients compared to patients without insulin treatment with similar glucose values. However, with severe hypoglycemia, there was no significant difference between insulin-related and non-insulin related hypoglycemia.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The data are an addition to existing data showing a relationship between hypoglycemia and subsequent mortality and importantly focus on in-patient hypoglycemia and on hypoglycemia associated with insulin therapy.
The findings are a timely reminder that hypoglycemia of any cause carries the association with increased mortality.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Mortality among hospitalized patients with hypoglycemia: insulin-related and non-insulin related
A. Akirov, MD1,2, A. Grossman, MD2,3, T. Shochat4, I. Shimon, MD1,2
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2653
Received: July 11, 2016
Accepted: October 10, 2016
First Published Online: November 17, 2016
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on November 19, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
