Athanasia K. Papazafiropoulou, Ifigeneia Papageorgiou, Danai F. Sfadou, Stavros I. Pappas
Abstract
Ηypoglycemia still remains a great challenge to the clinicians. The risk of hypoglycemia is increased in older patients, those with longer diabetes duration and perhaps in the drive for strict glycemic control with. Hypoglycemia has substantial clinical impact, in terms of mortality, morbidity and quality of life. Intensive glucose control invariably increases the risk of hypoglycemia and sometimes the severity of hypoglycemia. Several epidemiological studies and smaller prospective studies have linked hypoglycemia to increased cardiovascular risk. Recent large randomized trials looking at intensive glycemic control have either shown no benefit or increased all-cause mortality. The cost implications of severe episodes—both direct hospital costs and indirect costs—are considerable. Hypoglycemia and fear of hypoglycemia limit the ability of current diabetes medications to achieve and maintain optimal levels of glycemic control.
Keywords: hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk, cost, quality of life