title: Risk Factors and Adverse Outcomes of Severe Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
abstract: Hypoglycemia has been considered as a major barrier to achieving the proper glycemic target in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. In particular, severe hypoglycemia (SH), which is defined as a hypoglycemic episode requiring the assistance of another person to raise the patient's glucose level, is a serious complication of diabetes because of its possible fatal outcomes. Recently, the recommendations for diabetes care have emphasized a patient-centered approach, considering the individualized patient factors including hypoglycemia. Many studies have been performed which analyzed the risk factors and clinical outcomes for SH. From the studies, researchers recommend that targeting a less stringent glycosylated hemoglobin level and selecting a safer class of drugs for hypoglycemia are appropriate for patients with a high risk of SH. Also, careful clinical attention to prevent hypoglycemia, including intensive education, is necessary to minimize the risk of SH and SH-related fatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Seung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea. kosh@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seung Hyun
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3703-1479
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ko
keywords: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Hypoglycemia; Risk factors