Studying the reactive hypoglycemia in diabetic's relatives

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to detect and evaluate the incidence rate of reactive hypoglycemia between the first-degree relatives of diabetics. The study was carried out on 46 persons. 23 persons were from families who have a history of diabetes type NIDDM [father, mother, brother, sister]; this was the relative group. The other 23 persons were from families who have not a history of diabetes. [This was the normal group]. The oral glucose tolerance test for 4 hours was carried out on both groups. Fasting blood samples and after 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 hours were withdrawn. Glucose and insulin were assayed in these samples. Reactive hypoglycemia was noticed in 10 persons from relative group and in 5 persons from normal group. The glucose level was less than 67 mg/dl accompanied with hypoglycemic symptoms. By using statistical analysis, it was found that there was not any significant difference in glucose levels except for the samples of the third hours. The level of glucose was less in the relative group compared with the normal group, P=0.05, the glucose level was Less [Nadir], P=O.02 in relative group. The insulin levels were always high and there was not any significant difference. It was found that there was not any relation between the incidence of hypoglycemia and the degree of relation