Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing all over the world. Targeting good glycemic control is fundamental to avoid the complications of diabetes strictly linked to hyperglycemia. This narrative review is based on the material searched for and obtained via PubMed up to April 2015. The search terms we used were: 'hypoglycemia, diabetes, complications' in combination with 'iatrogenic, treatment, symptoms'. Serious complications might occur from an inappropriate treatment of hyperglycemia. The most frequent complication is iatrogenic hypoglycemia that is often associated with autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. Furthermore, hypoglycemia causes acute cardiovascular effects, which may explain some of the typical symptoms: ischemia, QT prolongation, and arrhythmia. With regards to the latter, the night represents a dangerous period because of the major increase in arrhythmias and the prolonged time of hypoglycemia; indeed, sleep has been shown to blunt the sympatho-adrenal response to hypoglycemia. Two main strategies have been implemented to reduce these effects: monitoring blood glucose values and individualized glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) goals. Several drugs for the treatment of T2DM are currently available and different combinations have been recommended to achieve individualized glycemic targets, considering age, co-morbidities, disease duration, and life expectancy. In conclusion, accordingly to international guidelines, hypoglycemia-avoiding therapy must reach an individualized glycemic goal, which is the lowest HbA1c not causing severe hypoglycemia and preserving awareness of hypoglycemia.

Update on strategies limiting iatrogenic hypoglycemia

BONAVENTURA, ALDO;MONTECUCCO, FABRIZIO;DALLEGRI, FRANCO
2015-01-01

Abstract

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing all over the world. Targeting good glycemic control is fundamental to avoid the complications of diabetes strictly linked to hyperglycemia. This narrative review is based on the material searched for and obtained via PubMed up to April 2015. The search terms we used were: 'hypoglycemia, diabetes, complications' in combination with 'iatrogenic, treatment, symptoms'. Serious complications might occur from an inappropriate treatment of hyperglycemia. The most frequent complication is iatrogenic hypoglycemia that is often associated with autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. Furthermore, hypoglycemia causes acute cardiovascular effects, which may explain some of the typical symptoms: ischemia, QT prolongation, and arrhythmia. With regards to the latter, the night represents a dangerous period because of the major increase in arrhythmias and the prolonged time of hypoglycemia; indeed, sleep has been shown to blunt the sympatho-adrenal response to hypoglycemia. Two main strategies have been implemented to reduce these effects: monitoring blood glucose values and individualized glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) goals. Several drugs for the treatment of T2DM are currently available and different combinations have been recommended to achieve individualized glycemic targets, considering age, co-morbidities, disease duration, and life expectancy. In conclusion, accordingly to international guidelines, hypoglycemia-avoiding therapy must reach an individualized glycemic goal, which is the lowest HbA1c not causing severe hypoglycemia and preserving awareness of hypoglycemia.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/817458
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