Retrospective Cohort Analysis of the Reduced Burden of Hypoglycemia Associated with Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Use in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Hypoglycemia unawareness identified by continuous glucose monitoring system is frequent in outpatients with type 2 diabetes without receiving intensive therapeutic interventions

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes are prone to asymptomatic hypoglycemia (AH) due to diminished ability to perceive the onset of hypoglycemia. However, the actual prevalence and influencing factors of AH in outpatients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have not been well investigated.

METHODS

A total of 351 outpatients with T2DM underwent glucose monitoring by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for consecutive 72 h without changing their lifestyle and treatment regimens. Hypoglycemia is defined as a blood glucose level less than 3.9 mmol/L, which was further divided into Level 1 hypoglycemia (blood glucose 3.0-3.9 mmol/L) and Level 2 hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 3.0 mmol/L). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the possible risk factors of AH.

RESULTS

In all 351 subjects studied, 137 outpatients (39.0%) were captured AH events, in which Level 1 AH and Level 2 AH accounted for 61.3% and 38.7%, respectively. 85 (62.0%) of the AH patients experienced nocturnal asymptomatic hypoglycemia (NAH) and 25 (18.2%) exclusively NAH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients with younger age, lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels were associated with increased risk of AH. While after further grading of AH, male sex and Dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) regime were shown to be associated with lower risk of Level 2 AH.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycemia unawareness could be frequently observed at either daytime or nighttime, although NAH was more common, in outpatients with T2DM. Relative relax HbA1c targets should be considered for patients who are prone to AH.

Economic burden of diabetes-related hypoglycemia on patients, payors, and employers

The economic and psychological consequences of diabetes-related hypoglycemic events are multifold and shared across various parties, including patients and their family or caregivers, payors, and employers. Hypoglycemic events contribute to increased morbidity, mortality, and a substantial portion of diabetes economic burden. Both severe and non-severe hypoglycemic episodes contribute to economic and psychological burden, and can have short-term consequences, such as emergency services, hospitalization, clinic visits, and increased use of diabetes supplies. Severe hypoglycemic events also generate additional follow-up costs, and are likely to occur again. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can have long-term consequences including, death, cardiovascular events, and cognitive issues. Costs vary geographically based on the treatment protocols which focus on outpatient treatment versus increased in-patient hospitalization. Certain types of medications are also associated with increased hypoglycemia, which requires closer monitoring of the patient, such as with basal insulin initiation. Some individuals with diabetes may be more vulnerable to hypoglycemia, such as the elderly, postoperative bariatric patients, and adolescent females. Measures to mitigate hypoglycemia are essential to ease the economic burden of these events. Medication management, optimal glucose control, lifestyle modifications and frequent glucose monitoring are some interventions which may help prevent hypoglycemia.