Deciphering the Enigma of Postprandial Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia After Bariatric Surgery, Part 1 C: Effect of Postprandial Hypoglycaemia on Driving Performance.

Despite the increasing prevalence of postprandial hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (PHH), clinical implications are still unclear. Anecdotal evidence from patients with PHH suggest a high burden for these patients due to the recurrent hypoglycaemias with possibly debilitating consequences. It is well established, that even mild hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose of 3.4mmol/l) in diabetic and non-diabetic significantly impairs cognitive-motor functioning. Of note, some of the cognitive aspects remain impaired for up to 75min, even when the hypoglycaemia is corrected. In addition to the hypoglycaemic blood glucose levels per se, the dynamics of the hypoglycaemia occurrence appears to play a role. It was shown in individuals with type 1 diabetes, that cognitive functions are affected more during a fast-fall than slow fall hypoglycaemia in the postprandial state.

Driving is a frequent daily activity which integrates various mental function including visual and auditory processing, motor skills, reasoning and problem solving. Due to the potentially dangerous consequences, avoidance of hypoglycaemia-induced driving mishaps is of uttermost importance. Several studies have evaluated the impact of induced, controlled hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes on driving performance using driving simulators but data in PHH patients are currently lacking. Assessing the potential impact of the natural course of postprandial hypoglycaemia on driving performance in PHH patients will contribute to a better understanding of the consequences and relevance of this problem. The investigator will test the hypothesis whether driving performance during the postprandial glucose dynamics is impaired in patients with confirmed PHH.