Mini-Mental State Examination is superior to plasma glucose concentrations in monitoring patients with suspected hypoglycaemic disorders during the 72-hour fast.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) allows the objective detection and documentation of cognitive deterioration in patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders by the 72-h fast.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
In 50 patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders, the MMSE score (maximum 30 points) was assessed at the start and at the end of the fast.


RESULTS
The fast was terminated before 72 h in 14 patients because they developed neuroglycopenic symptoms due to hypoglycaemic disorders. Their MMSE score fell from a median of 29 points (range 20-30) at the beginning to 17 points (range 0-24) at the termination of the fast. The score dropped by > or =6 points in all patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. Median (range) plasma glucose concentration at the end of the fast was 2.1 (1.1-2.5) mmol/l. Thirty-six individuals developed no neuroglycopenic symptoms throughout the 72-h fast, their MMSE score remained between 27 and 30 throughout the fast and their median plasma glucose concentration dropped to 2.9 (2-3.6) mmol/l.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the MMSE at the beginning and at the termination of the fast allows objective determination and documentation of the deterioration of the cognitive state in patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. A decline in the cognitive performance by > or =6 points in the MMSE score rather than a distinct plasma glucose concentration should be used as the criterion to terminate the prolonged fast before 72 h.
Wiesli
Peter
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. peter.wiesli@dim.usz.ch
Schwegler
Beat
B
Schmid
Beat
B
Spinas
Giatgen A
GA
Schmid
Christoph
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin