(07-05-11) Frequent hypoglycemia among elderly patients with poor glycemic control.

Munshi MN, Segal AR, Suhl E, Staum E, Desrochers L, Sternthal A, Giusti J,
McCartney R, Lee Y, Bonsignore P, Weinger K.
Source
Sections of Adult Diabetes, Joslin Diabetes Center, Division of Gerontology,
Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected]
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Episodes of hypoglycemia are particularly dangerous in the older population.
To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, relaxation of the standard hemoglobin A(1c)
(HbA(1c)) goals has been proposed for frail elderly patients. However, the risk
of hypoglycemia in this population with higher HbA(1c) levels is unknown.

METHODS:
Patients 69 years or older with HbA(1C) values of 8% or greater were evaluated
with blinded continuous glucose monitoring for 3 days.

RESULTS:
Forty adults (mean [SD] age, 75 [5] years; HbA(1C) value, 9.3% [1.3%];
diabetes duration, 22 [14] years; 28 patients [70%] with type 2 diabetes
mellitus; and 37 [93%] using insulin) were evaluated. Twenty-six patients (65%)
experienced 1 or more episodes of hypoglycemia (glucose level <70 mg/dL). Among
these, 12 (46%) experienced a glucose level below 50 mg/dL and 19 (73%), a
level below 60 mg/dL. The average number of episodes was 4; average duration,
46 minutes. Eighteen patients (69%) had at least 1 nocturnal episode (10 pm to
6 am). Of the total of 102 hypoglycemic episodes, 95 (93%) were unrecognized by
finger-stick glucose measurements performed 4 times a day or by symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:
Hypoglycemic episodes are common in older adults with poor glycemic control.
Raising HbA(1C) goals may not be adequate to prevent hypoglycemia in this
population.

Source: Arch Intern Med. 2011 Feb 28;171(4):362-4.

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