title: Postprandial reactive hypoglycaemia in a very old patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postprandial reactive hypoglycaemia (PRH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the recurrence of symptomatic hypoglycaemia during postprandial periods. PRH remains a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, because of its atypical manifestations and low prevalence, especially in older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the diagnostic work-up of severe hypoglycaemic episodes in a very old patient in whom the diagnosis of PRH was made.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prescribed acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, to this patient to prevent the recurrence of hypoglycaemic episodes. Four years later, acarbose was always used and no further episode of hypoglycaemia had occurred. Based on the literature, we discuss the limited value of endocrine tests as well as the efficacy of the therapeutic approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prescription of acarbose is useful in addition to nutritional education, the corner stone of the treatment, to avoid the recurrence of severe hypoglycaemic events due to PRH.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deliens
authors.forename: Cl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Losseau
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vandeleene
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boland
mesh_terms: D020909:Acarbose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D020909:Acarbose
keywords: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor; Oral glucose tolerance test,; Postprandial reactive hypoglycaemia,