title: Self-reported experience of hypoglycemia among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Exhype).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the experience of hypoglycemia in patients treated with metformin in combination with sulphonylureas (SUs) and the impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) and worry about hypoglycemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a national, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin and SU dual therapy were recruited by 54 investigators between January 2009 and August 2009. The patients were asked to complete a QoL instrument, the EuroQol-5 Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D), and the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS-II). Investigators completed a web-based case report form on laboratory values, medical history and anti-diabetic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 430 patients (60% male) were included in the study. Mean age was 69 years. Approximately one fifth of the patients experienced moderate or worse symptoms of hypoglycemia. Patients who experienced moderate or worse hypoglycemia had lower QoL as measured by the weighted EQ-5D summary score (0.81 vs. 0.88; p<0.001) than patients who experienced mild or no hypoglycemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experience of hypoglycemia was found to be associated with lower QoL in patients with type 2 diabetes on dual treatment with metformin and sulphonylurea. This should be taken into consideration when selecting treatment for these patients in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Linköping University, Sweden. Billie_pettersson@merck.com
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pettersson
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rosenqvist
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deleskog
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Journath
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wändell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D008687:Metformin