Hypoglycemia in Hospitalized Patients

Completed

Brief Summary: Patients with diabetes who develop low blood sugars (hypoglycemia) in the hospital are at risk for losing the ability to develop symptoms that warn them that they are having a low blood sugar. There is almost no available information investigating how the inability to feel symptoms of a low blood sugar contributes to the risk of this happening when people with diabetes are hospitalized. The purpose of this study is to develop a symptom score model that will help to identify patients at risk for low blood sugars in the hospital and to examine what happens to patients who do experience a low blood sugar in the hospital.

Detailed Description: Patients who develop recurrent hypoglycemia are predisposed to developing hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF, impaired awareness). There is almost no information investigating the contribution of HAAF as a risk factor for hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients. Our central aim is to develop a validated inpatient hypoglycemic symptom score model to examine HAAF and its correlation with cognitive dysfunction, re-hospitalization rates, inpatient morbidity and mortality.

This will be a prospective non-blinded study performed in a tertiary care center that will include non-critically insulin treated patients with Type 1 and 2 Diabetes. We will identify patients who have experienced moderate hypoglycemia (40-70 mg/dl) or severe hypoglycemia (\< 40 mg/dl) within the prior 24 hours by daily generated computerized reports. Participants will be asked to complete a Hypoglycemia Symptom Scores Questionnaire and cognitive testing within 24-36 hours post event. Participants will be contacted at 6 and 12 months following the index hospitalization to obtain information regarding recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia, need for re-hospitalization, and occurrence of any new diabetes related complications.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who are admitted for hypoglycemia or Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Anticipated LOS <3 days
Mentally incompetent individuals defined as any patient with evidence of dementia or delirium recorded in their medical history or progress note
Patients receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition
Treatment with high dose narcotic medications
Patients who would not be able to follow up at 3 to 6 and 9-12 months by telephone call
Patients with expected life expectancy < 1 year

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Prevalence of Hypoglycemia Associated Autonomic Failure in the inpatient setting as assessed by hypoglycemia symptom scores	Within 24-36 hours following a hypoglycemia event.	Hypoglycemia Symptom Score Questionnaires will be administered to participants in time frame described. These questionnaires include a list of potential autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms that can occur in response to hypoglycemia.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Measures of cognitive function following a hypoglycemic event	Within 24 to 36 hours of a hypoglycemia event.	Cognitive function testing will be performed using the St Louis University Mental Status Exam Survey (SLUMS)

Locations (1): University of Pittsburgh Medical Center PUH SSY
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

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