title: Hypoglycaemic symptoms and hypoglycaemia threshold in older people with diabetes--a patient perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate patients' views about their lowest tolerable blood glucose level and explore symptoms they may develop below that level.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-structured patient interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic for older people (≥75 years) with diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending an outpatient clinic over a six months period who are monitoring their blood glucose at home and able to participate in interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty one patients gave answers to the interview questions. Mean (SD) age was 82.3 (3.9) years and 33 (54%) were females. All patients indicated that they were usually aware when hypoglycaemia occurs but the symptoms reported were mostly non specific. The threshold for hypoglycaemia was 5 mmol/L in 13 (21%) patients, 6 mmol/L in 14 (23%) patients, 7 mmol/L in 13 (21%) patients, 8 mmol/L in 17 (28%) patients and 9 mmol/L in 4 (7%) patients. There was no significant difference between patients who were symptomatic at a higher blood glucose level (>6 mmo/L) and those who developed symptoms at a lower level (≤6 mmol/L).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older people with diabetes who seem to be aware of hypoglycaemia report mostly non specific symptoms. The threshold of experiencing hypoglycaemic symptoms appears to be higher than the usually defined <4 mmol/L.
authors.affiliation: Dr Ahmed H Abdelhafiz, Department Of Elderly Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD, Tel: 01709 307576, Fax: 01709 304419, E Mail: ahmedhafiz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Abdelhafiz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eng Loo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose