title: Self-reported frequency and impact of hypoglycaemic events in insulin-treated diabetic patients in Austria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoglycaemia is a common side effect of insulin therapy and presents a barrier to diabetes management, however, limited data exist on the real-world frequency of events. We investigated the self-reported rates of non-severe and severe hypoglycaemic events in Austria. We also explored hypoglycaemia awareness, patient-physician communication and the health-related and economic impact of events.
  
  
  METHODS
  People with Type-1 or insulin-treated Type-2 diabetes > 15 years of age completed up to 4 questionnaires (weekly intervals). Non-severe hypoglycaemic events were defined by requiring no assistance while severe hypoglycaemic events need help from a third party.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 553 respondents (40 % Type-1, 60 % Type-2) enrolled, providing a total of 1,773 patient-weeks. The mean annual non-severe event frequencies were 85 for Type-1 and 15-28 for Type-2 (depending on insulin regimen). In respondents who experienced ≥ 1 non-severe event in the study period, annual rates were 18 % higher in Type-1 and 77 % higher in Type-2. The proportion of respondents reporting 'awareness' of hypoglycaemic symptoms was 48 % for Type-1 and 43-61 % for Type-2 respondents. The proportion of respondents who rarely/never inform their physician of hypoglycaemic events was 67 % (Type-1) and 43-53 % (Type-2). The most commonly reported health-related impacts were tiredness/fatigue (58 % of events) and reduced alertness (41 % of events).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-severe hypoglycaemic events are common in Type-1 and insulin-treated Type-2 diabetes patients in Austria. There may be subgroups of patients who are predisposed to higher rates of non-severe events. Even non-severe events have a negative impact on physical and emotional well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonissen Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Raimund
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weitgasser
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin