title: Hypoglycemia: minimizing its impact in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review and discuss the risks and impact of hypoglycemia and provide guidance for the prevention of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  We review and discuss the risks and impact of hypoglycemia, providing specific guidance regarding the prevention of hypoglycemia and judicial selection of glucose-lowering agents in individuals with T2DM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypoglycemia in T2DM is underrecognized and underreported. Emerging evidence from large clinical trials suggest that hypoglycemia may be an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in T2DM. In addition, hypoglycemia is associated with reduced quality of life, greater healthcare utilization costs, and poor adherence to medical regiments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have led professional organizations to emphasize the prevention of hypoglycemia as an important consideration when initiating or intensifying treatment regimens. In clinical settings, particular attention should be paid to a patient's risk for hypoglycemia when initiating or intensifying the pharmacological treatment regimen. The endocrinologist can play an important role in educating not only the patient, but also other members of the diabetes-management team regarding the need for individualized therapy.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of California, Marina Del Rey, California 90292, USA. emoghissi@gmail.com
authors: Etie
authors: E
authors: Moghissi
authors: Faramarz
authors: F
authors: Ismail-Beigi
authors: Robin Cammarota
authors: RC
authors: Devine
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents