In a nutshell
This study investigated whether type 2 diabetes patients were at increased risk of kidney damage if their blood pressure surged during hypoglycemic (dangerously low levels of glucose) events. The study concluded that kidney function did worsen in patients whose blood pressure surged during severe hypoglycemic events.
Some background
Many glucose-lowering medications can cause hypoglycemia. During a hypoglycemic event blood pressure can increase, due to changes in hormone levels. When there is a delay between a hypoglycemic event and hospital treatment, blood pressure may be raised during that time. Severe hypoglycemia has been associated with heart disease and blood vessel damage. Whether large rises in blood pressure during hypoglycemic events cause reduced kidney function is unclear.
Methods & findings
In this study, 111 type 2 diabetes patients who had severe hypoglycemic events and were then hospitalized were followed for three years. 76 patients showed extremely high blood pressure during hypoglycemia before treatment. 35 patients did not experience an extreme increase in blood pressure. Kidney function did not differ between the groups before or at the time of hypoglycemia.
Patients who had extremely high blood pressure during hypoglycemia had 2.68 times the risk of reduced kidney function.
The bottom line
The study concluded that type 2 diabetes patients had an increased risk of reduced kidney function following increased blood pressure during severe hypoglycemic events. The authors recommended that kidney function be checked and monitored following a severe event.
The fine print
The study took place in only one center, and the follow-up period was short. Some data on the patients was incomplete or missing.
What’s next?
If you suffer from hypoglycemic events, you can discuss these results with your doctor.
Published By :
Journal of Diabetes and its Complications
Date :
Apr 22, 2016
