A Study of Hypoglycemia and Its Characteristics in Admitted Libyan Patients at Tripoli Diabetes Hospital

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is a true medical emergency. To review the profile of admitted Libyan cases of non-pregnant adult and adolescents presenting with hypoglycemia at Tripoli Diabetes Hospital. A retrospective study for patient admitted with hypoglycemia from January 2017 to July 2018 included. Data collected from medical files including all the parameters related to diabetes mellitus (DM). Total number of cases admitted with hypoglycemia were 29. Their age ranged from 18 - 86 years (mean of 44.8 ± 2.24), 76% were female, 25% were non-smoker, 59% were married, 55% and were non employers. 86% were patients with DM and number of hypo attack per month was 3.9 ± 2.25. There were 25 cases with DM, were 7% newly diagnosis (< 1 year), 45% their duration of DM were < 9 years and 35% were > 10 years. Their HBA1C was on target (6.5 - 7%) in 21% of the cases, 17% were on below target range (< 6.5%) and 38% with poor control (> 7%). 14% were on glibenclamide, 3% on glimepiride and 69% on insulin. Patients on insulin treatment with different regime twice daily in 28%, triple in 17% and basal bolus regime in 24%. Hypoglycemia unawareness was presented in 17%, hypoglycemia was major in 45% of the cases and in 38% were in daytime. Insulin induced hypoglycemia were in 66%, 10% were suicidal attempt. Exercise induced hypoglycemia 10% and 3% of cases with malignancy induced hypoglycemia. Co-exist systemic illness was mainly absent in 69% but cardiovascular diseases in 14% and renal diseases in 7%. 86% of the cases were discharged in good condition and 14% discharged against medical advice. Hypoglycemia mostly occurs in patients with DM treated with insulin and in most cases were reversible and saved with good management. Thus, patient education is a fundamental issue in prevention of hypoglycemia