Real-world prevalence of mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes in type 2 diabetes in Portugal: Results from the HIPOS-PHARMA study

Aims

This study aimed to characterize and estimate prevalence and frequency of mild to moderate hypoglycemia and potentially associated factors in a population of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated at ambulatory care level.

Methods

HIPOS-PHARMA was a nationwide observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted in community pharmacies, which surveyed T2DM patients treated for at least 3 months.

Results

Overall, 233 pharmacies recruited 1890 patients (males: 50.6%) with mean 67.1 years. On average, participants reported having diabetes for 11.8 years. A total of 86.9% had at least one chronic illness or complication of diabetes, and 76.8% were usually followed in the primary care setting. Fifty eight percent were treated without a secretagogue or insulin. Overall prevalence of mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes in the 3 months prior to recruitment was 17.8%. A 3.13% prevalence of severe hypoglycemia was observed in the last 12 months. Results suggested that men and patients on antihyperglycemic therapies excluding secretagogues or insulin were less likely to have mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes.

Conclusions

Mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes were commonly reported, and factors like type of antihyperglycemic therapy, duration of disease and due complications may contribute. Almost half of episodes were not reported. Such factors should be considered in T2DM management.