Hipoglicemia en el paciente diabético hospitalizado / Hypoglycemia in hospitalized diabetic patiens

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hypoglycaemia occurs frequently in hospitalized diabetic patients and increases inpatient morbidity and mortality. In 60 percent of cases, it isn’t managed properly. The goal of this study was to determine prevalence, treatment, complications and length of hospital stay related to hypoglycaemia with local patients. Patients and Methods: This study was designed as a prospective series of cases with diabetic patients, hospitalized in internal medicine and surgical services. Results: 105 cases of hypoglycaemia presented in 47 patients, with a mean of 2,21 +/- 1,68 episodes per patient. 53,32 percent of hypoglycaemic episodes presented in surgical patients. The cause was not determined in 49,52 percent (n = 52) of the episodes, and 41,9 percent (n = 44) of them were asymptomatic. 59,57 percent (n = 28) of patients presented complications during their hospital stay, mainly infectious, with no difference between surgical and medical services. Median inpatient stay in the surgical service was of 28 days (RIQ 19-45), and of 16 days (RIQ 11-28) in the internal medicine service. Treatments were modified in 57,45 percent (n = 27)of patients after their first hypoglycaemic episode occurred, 17 in internal medicine service, and 10 in surgical service (p = 0,003). Conclusions: the majority of patients presented at least two hypoglycaemic events, and only in half of were treatments modified in order to prevent another episode, which is more that reported in literature, particularly in internal medicine service, where diabetologists work. Highlighting the large number of undetermined causes of hypoglycaemia, caused mainly by lack of registry, can lead to the creation of a registry form for these kinds of occurrences in order to successfully prevent more episodes and decrease inpatient stay and complications.