In a nutshell
This study evaluated the role non-severe nocturnal hypoglycemic events or NSNHEs (abnormally low blood sugar levels during the night) plays in patients’ well-being and management of diabetes mellitus.
Some background
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) must carefully manage the level of glucose, or sugar, in their blood. Even when the DM is well-managed, up to half of patients experience drops in blood glucose, known as non-severe hypoglycemic events, which can cause symptoms such as sweating, trembling, or confusion. These events can happen during the day or, particularly, during the night (called non-severe nocturnal hypoglycemic events or NSNHEs). These events can scare the patients and disrupt their sleep, thus interfering with their well-being. The current study examined these NSNHEs and the role they play in DM management and patient well-being.
Methods & findings
The study included 2108 DM patients who had experienced at least a NSNHE in their lives. Each patient had experienced a NSNHE within a month of the study, with 76.3% of patients reporting an NSNHE within the previous two weeks. These patients completed a questionnaire regarding symptoms they experienced during a NSNHE, how long it lasted and what impact it had on their lives.
The survey showed that 85.5% of the patients were awakened by the symptoms such as sweating, shaking, restlessness and turning in bed or heart pounding and dizziness. Patients reported that it took approximately 20 minutes after they ate for the symptoms to be relieved, and roughly an hour or more to get back to sleep. 10.4% of patients reported not being able to go back to sleep after a NSNHE. 79.3% of the participants reported that the NSNHE affected their functioning during the following day.
The bottom line
In summary, NSNHEs affected patients’ sleep patterns and had a negative impact on their functioning and overall well-being.
The fine print
This study was based on a self-administered questionnaire, thus the data included was based on subjective information.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor how to best manage your symptoms in case of a NSNHE.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Jun 01, 2013
