Risk Factors for Severe Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in Wiang Kaen Hospital, Chiang Rai

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the non-communicable diseases that requires continuous care. This study is a retrospective case control study. The objective of this study was to study the risk factors of hypoglycemia treated in inpatients of a community hospital.

Data were collected from type 2 diabetes patients admitted to Wiang Kaen Hospital between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2024. Two groups of patients were compared: a study group of 65 patients who developed hypoglycemia and received inpatient treatment, and a study group of 260 patients who did not develop the condition. The relationship between the factors was then studied using logistic regression analysis.

Results showed that diabetic patients with decreased renal function had a higher chance of developing severe hypoglycemia, adjusted OR 45.03 (95% CI=29-278.21). Patients aged 60 years or older had a greater protection against developing severe hypoglycemia, adjusted OR 0.28 (95% CI=0.08-0.98). The amount of insulin used, adjusted OR 8.14 (95% CI=2.02-32.73), a history of previous hypoglycemia, adjusted OR 3.85 (95%CI=1.20-12.37), having a caregiver, adjusted OR 24.12 (95%CI=7.03-82.79), and when considering the history of increasing activity, increasing medication, and drinking alcohol. The results showed that the sample group had significantly higher risk than the control group (adjusted OR 15.18 (95% CI1.52-151.40), adjusted OR 12.66 (95%CI=2.46-65.03) and adjusted OR 11.21 (95%CI=1.54-81.63), respectively). The research results should be applied in real contexts by monitoring the above-mentioned risk factors.