AIMS: The present Malaysian cohort analysis determined the prevalence of hypoglycemia among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending primary care- or hospital-based diabetes clinics in Malaysia and their awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
METHODS: The Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study was a non-interventional, 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective analysis of hypoglycemic events in 24 countries, using self-assessment questionnaires and diaries among patients with T1DM/T2DM aged ≥18years, using insulin for >12months. This report focuses on prospective data, as they are less prone to recall bias.
RESULTS: There were 1153 participants in the Malaysian cohort (114 T1DM; 1039 T2DM). In the prospective period, 50.4% and 33.4% of patients reported ≥1 hypoglycemic events, with estimated rates of 20.3 and 13.1 events per patient-year of exposure in patients with T1DM and T2DM, respectively. 24.8% and 16.1% of patients with T1DM or T2DM, respectively, reported ≥1 nocturnal hypoglycemic event. The majority of patients (96.5%, T1DM; 91.8%, T2DM) knew what hypoglycemia was prior to the study. Impaired awareness was present in 48.0% (T1DM) and 36.9% (T2DM) of patients. In the prospective period, 50% of patients with T1DM or T2DM consulted a doctor or nurse following a hypoglycemia episode.
CONCLUSIONS: Half of patients with T1DM and a third of patients with T2DM reported ≥1 hypoglycemic event during the prospective period. Although the majority of patients knew the typical features of hypoglycemia, many reported impaired ability to recognize symptoms in real life. The present findings highlight the importance of patient education and physician awareness in dealing with hypoglycemia, in particular the burden of hypoglycemic unawareness.
CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01696266 on 26 September 2012.
Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory for all healthy Muslims from puberty onwards. Exemptions exist for people with serious medical conditions, including many with diabetes, but a large number will participate, often against medical advice. Ensuring the optimal care of these patients during Ramadan is crucial. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance have come together to deliver comprehensive guidelines on this subject. The key areas covered include epidemiology, the physiology of fasting, risk stratification, nutrition advice and medication adjustment. The IDF-DAR Practical Guidelines should enhance knowledge surrounding the issue of diabetes and Ramadan fasting, thereby empowering healthcare professionals to give the most up-to-date advice and the best possible support to their patients during Ramadan.