Introduction:Hypoglycemia being the rate limiting complication in the attainment of strict glycemic control in diabetes management, in this study, we intended to study the knowledge of its symptoms, target blood levels during treatment and ways of prevention among type 2 diabetes patients attending Outpatient Department (OPD) of a medical college hospital.Materials and Methods:Every fifth patient attending the OPD during the 4 months between March and June 2013 was interviewed using a questionnaire.Results:The study included 366 type 2 diabetic patients, of which 76.5% were females. The target fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels while on treatment was known to 135 (36.9%) and 126 (34.4%) patients, respectively. The common symptoms of hypoglycemia known to the study subjects were dizziness (81.4%), weakness (73.8%), and drowsiness (72.1%). Overall, 242 (66.1%) diabetic patients had good knowledge on hypoglycemia (knowledge of at least three symptoms of hypoglycemia together with at least one precipitating factor and at least one remedial measure). Higher age, illiteracy, low socioeconomic status were associated with poor knowledge whereas treatment with insulin along with oral hypoglycemic agents was associated with good knowledge on hypoglycemia. Sex and duration of disease were not associated with knowledge on hypoglycemia.Conclusion:Although the knowledge on symptoms of hypoglycemia, precipitating factors, remedial measures are high in this study, the target blood levels, complications were known to just a third of them. There is a knowledge gap on important aspects of hypoglycemia among type 2 diabetic patients.

Introduction:Hypoglycemia tops the list of hurdles in preventing tight glycemic control in diabetic patients. It is even considered as a cardiovascular risk factor. However, it continues to be a neglected complication with very limited epidemiological data in our country.Aim:To study the self-reported prevalence of hypoglycemia among type 2 diabetic patients and the practices adopted by them during and after the episodes to manage and avert future occurrences.Materials and Methods:It is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study done using systematic random sampling selecting every 5th patient attending the diabetic Out-Patient (OP) in a tertiary medical college hospital.Results:There were 366 participants with median age of 60 years. Around 96% reported any one symptom of hypoglycemia, but 78% had eaten following the episode and got relieved of the symptoms. Weakness (76.2%) and dizziness (74%) were the most common symptoms reported by the patients. A quarter of them reported having severe attacks requiring somebody's assistance. Most patients resorted to timely meals (85%) to avert future attacks. Patients who took insulin along with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) were at a higher risk (OR = 2.3) for hypoglycemia compared to patients taking only OHAs (P < 0.01).Conclusion:The reported prevalence of hypoglycemia among type 2 diabetes patients is quite high. This finding reiterates the importance of enquiring and educating every diabetic patient about hypoglycemic episodes during every health visit.

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The study aimed to explore adherence behavior towards medication, diet, fluid, and treatment, and determine the perception about treatment among patients subjected to hemodialysis (HD). A cross sectional descriptive research design was adopted. 100 patients subjected to hemodialysis were recruited and End stage renal disease adherence questionnaire was used to evaluate the adherence behavior and perception towards HD treatment. All (100 %) patients were adherent to dialysis treatment. 65 % of them perceived that following the fluid restrictions were important. Considerable difference was observed in adherence behavior to follow fluid and diet recommendations. The study aimed to explore adherence behavior towards medication, diet, fluid, and treatment, and determine the perception about treatment among patients subjected to hemodialysis. The findings of the study assert that the patients subjected to hemodialysis have limited awareness on diet and fluid restrictions. This information builds on to the knowledge to the nursing practice that all the patients undergoing hemodialysis must be educated with essential information on diet, fluid and treatment. The finding of this study gives direction that much attention needs to be given to the essential informational needs of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Holistic nursing care has gained much importance in recent years. All the patients undergoing hemodialysis should be considered as a “whole” individual where all the needs of the patients including physical, psychological, social, spiritual, informational needs must be met. This in turn will improve the wellbeing and quality of life of the patients. Tailored information prescriptions related to diet, fluid and medication recommendations would improve adherence behavior among patients subjected to Hemodialysis.