We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Hypoglycemia in Hospitalized Patients Linked to Increased Mortality Risk

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 30 Nov 2016
Print article
Image: A typical glucometer showing a blood glucose indicating severe hypoglycemia (Photo courtesy of the UCSF).
Image: A typical glucometer showing a blood glucose indicating severe hypoglycemia (Photo courtesy of the UCSF).
Spontaneous and insulin-related hypoglycemia is common among hospitalized patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). The definition of hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients is poorly defined and thus the true prevalence of hypoglycemia during hospitalization is variable.

One complication of diabetes, hypoglycemia, occurs most often in people taking medications to manage their blood sugar. These treatments can raise insulin levels too high, which can in turn cause blood glucose levels to drop too low. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous and, depending on the severity, can lead to various symptoms, including dizziness, confusion, anxiety, seizure or loss of consciousness.

A team of medical scientists at the Rabin Medical Center (Petah Tikva, Israel) conducted a study in a large 1,300-bed university-affiliated tertiary medical center collected historical prospectively observational data which were extracted from the medical records of all patients admitted for any cause to the hospital’s medical wards between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013. This study included nearly 3,000 patients with hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose levels lower than 70 mg/dL.

The team found that for patients with hypoglycemia, 31.9% had died at the end of the follow-up period. Mortality risk was higher in insulin-treated patients with moderate hypoglycemia (40-70 mg/dL), compared to patients without insulin treatment with similar glucose values. However, with severe hypoglycemia of less than 40 mg/dL, the increase in mortality risk was similar with insulin-related and non-insulin related hypoglycemia. The c cause of admission did not affect the association between glucose levels and mortality. Almost half the patients with hypoglycemia during hospitalization did not have pre- existing DM (1,452/2,947 patients, 49%). However, most of the patients with severe hypoglycemia had pre-existing DM (236/342 patients, 69%).

Amit Akirov, MD, the study senior author, said, “Hypoglycemia is common among hospitalized patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Our findings suggest that hypoglycemia, whether insulin-related or non-insulin related, is associated with short- and long-term mortality risk. These data are a timely reminder that hypoglycemia of any cause carries the association with increased mortality.” The study was published on November 17, 2016, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Related Links:
Rabin Medical Center

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Cancer Mutation Profiling Liquid Kit
OncoScreen Plus

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.