Protective and risk factors of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the PR-IAH study

• Published in: Diabetology and metabolic syndrome Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 79
• Main Authors: Sakane, Naoki, Kato, Ken, Hata, Sonyun, Nishimura, Erika, Araki, Rika, Kouyama, Kunichi, Hatao, Masako, Matoba, Yuka, Matsushita, Yuichi, Domichi, Masayuki, Suganuma, Akiko, Sakane, Seiko, Murata, Takashi, Wu, Fei Ling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 25.04.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Blood sugar monitoring; Complications and side effects; Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion; Cross-sectional studies; Dextrose; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Diabetic neuropathy; Diabetic retinopathy; Exercise; Glucose; Glucose monitoring; Glycosylated hemoglobin; Hemoglobin; Hypoglycemia; Impaired hypoglycemia awareness; Insulin; Laboratories; Lifestyles; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Morbidity; Mortality; Peripheral neuropathy; Problem solving; Risk factors; Sleep; Surveys; Type 1 diabetes; Impaired hypoglycemia awareness; Type 1 diabetes; Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
• ISSN: 1758-5996; 1758-5996
• DOI: 10.1186/s13098-023-01024-x

Hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with mortality and morbidity, especially when awareness of hypoglycemia is impaired. This study aimed to investigate the protective and risk factors for impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) in adults with T1D. This cross-sectional study enrolled 288 adults with T1D (mean age, 50.4 ± 14.6 years; male, 36.5%; diabetes duration, 17.6 ± 11.2 years; mean HbA1c level, 7.7 ± 0.9%), who were divided into IAH and non-IAH (control) groups. A survey was conducted to assess hypoglycemia awareness using the Clarke questionnaire. Diabetes histories, complications, fear of hypoglycemia, diabetes distress, hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities, and treatment data were collected. The prevalence of IAH was 19.1%. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was associated with an increased risk of IAH (odds ratio [OR] 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-5.91; P = 0.014), while treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and hypoglycemia problem-solving perception scores were associated with a decreased risk of IAH (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.22-0.96; P = 0.030; and OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37-0.78; P = 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in continuous glucose monitoring use between the groups. We identified protective factors in addition to risk factors for IAH in adults with T1D. This information may help manage problematic hypoglycemia. University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center: UMIN000039475). Approval date 13 February 2020.