Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes: understanding patients' and physicians' knowledge and experience

Endocrine. 2018 Jun;60(3):435-444. doi: 10.1007/s12020-018-1545-0. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to assess the patient and physician experience and knowledge of hypoglycemia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: T2DM patients (N = 1002) completed questionnaires on hypoglycemia experience, familiarity, and fear. Their responses were compared across various antihyperglycemic treatment regimens; specifically, (1) insulin only or insulin combined with sulfonylurea [SU] and/or metformin, (2) SU only with/without metformin, and (3) neither insulin nor SU. Physicians (N = 1003) completed questionnaires on hypoglycemia knowledge and decision-making, and their responses were compared by specialty [75% primary care providers (PCPs) and 25% endocrinologists].

Results: T2DM patients treated with, (1) insulin only, or (2) insulin plus SU or metformin, reported the most experience and familiarity with-but also fear of-hypoglycemic events. Insulin-treated patients (insulin alone or insulin plus SU/metformin) also reported experiencing more hypoglycemia (all p-values <0.012). For physicians, endocrinology specialty was significantly associated with higher hypoglycemia knowledge scores (all p-values <.001). Irrespective of specialty, physician hypoglycemia knowledge, in turn, was associated with correct treatment decision-making (all p-values <0.001).

Conclusions: Insulin-based antihyperglycemic regimens were associated with high prevalence, severity, familiarity, and fear of hypoglycemia. An effective strategy to mitigate the burden of hypoglycemia may be to optimize pharmacological therapy to prevent these events. Since physician hypoglycemia knowledge was highly correlated to correct therapeutic decision-making, continued physician education regarding this acute complication of diabetes treatment should be prioritized for those managing patients with T2DM.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic treatment; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemia fear; Treatment decision-making; Type 2 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / adverse effects*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Metformin / adverse effects*
  • Metformin / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds
  • Metformin