J Nutr Health Aging
THE JOURNAL OF NUTRITION, HEALTH & AGING©
HYPOGLYCAEMIC SYMPTOMS AND HYPOGLYCAEMIA THRESHOLD IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH DIABETES-A PATIENT PERSPECTIVE A.H. ABDELHAFIZ1, C. BAILEY1, B. ENG LOO1, A. SINCLAIR2 1. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD, UK; 2. Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Postgraduate Medical School, University of Luton, Hitchin Road, Luton, LU2 8LE, UK. Corresponding Author: Dr Ahmed H Abdelhafiz, Department Of Elderly Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD, Tel: 01709 307576, Fax: 01709 304419, E Mail:
[email protected] Abstract: Objectives: Objectives: To investigate patients’ views about their lowest tolerable blood glucose level and explore symptoms they may develop below that level. Design: A semi-structured patient interview. Setting: Outpatient clinic for older people (≥75 years) with diabetes. Participants: 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 (>6mmo/L) and those who developed symptoms at a lower level (≤6mmol/L). Conclusion: 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