Awareness Level of Hypoglycemia Among Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients in Al Qassim Region

Abstract

BackgroundHypoglycemia has a major impact on patient health and glycemic management during insulin therapy for both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is the rate-limiting complication in diabetes management that prevents stringent glucose control. ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge and awareness about hypoglycemia as a complication of T2D in adults in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study done among type 2 diabetes patients in Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2022. A previously validated online questionnaire was disseminated through social media to gather information from respondents. Participants were chosen via a simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was completed using SPSS (version 23; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). ResultsOverall, 213 respondents were included in our study. The majority of them were females (70.9%). The participants' average age was 35.9 + 13.0 years. Our results revealed that the average awareness score of the study population was found to be 3.6 ± 1.1 (by using the Clarke method) and 3.7 ± 2.1 (by using the Gold method). Moreover, we found that impaired awareness of hypoglycemia's prevalence by Clarke's questionnaire was 52.1% and 53.5% by using the Gold questionnaire. In addition, almost half of the respondents reported weakness as a symptom of hypoglycemia over the last six months and unconsciousness over the last 12 months. Hypertension was the most commonly reported chronic disease by our participants. Lastly, factors such as age, gender, educational level, geographic distribution, and history of chronic illness did not show any significant association with impaired awareness of the prevalence of hypoglycemia. ConclusionAccording to our research, we concluded that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the region of Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, had insufficient knowledge about hypoglycemia as a complication of T2D. Moreover, the impaired awareness of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients was found to be high. Hence, there is a need for interventional programs to raise public awareness.

Assessing Prevalence and Predictors of Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

“…However, in some studies involving diabetic patients, the result of IAH was close to 50%, and our ndings align with this trend for stage 1, 2, 3 CKD such as a study of Al Qassim region that found, the prevalence of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) of study subjects by the Clarke's and Gold questionnaires was 52.1% and 53.5%, respectively [13] and the pooled prevalence of (IAH) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was reported as 58.5% in the same meta-analysis mentioned earlier [12]. However, this estimate was obtained using a different assessment method known as the Pedersen-Bjergaard scale.…”

“…o Sample size A minimum of 480 participants was required to detect a 52.1% prevalence of impaired hypoglycemia awareness with 95% con dence and 5% precision, accounting for a nonresponse rate of 20%. The sample size was calculated using the formula: [11].…”

Hypoglycemic episodes among type 1 diabetic patients in Unaizah, Saudi Arabia: causes, management, and associated factors

“…Additionally, they may experience less social and family support, impacting their ability to effectively manage diabetes and prevent hypoglycemia. These findings diverge from a recent Saudi study that found no significant difference in hypoglycemia based on gender, educational level, or geographic distribution of diabetic patients [33]. Consequently, further research is necessary to corroborate these findings and explore the underlying factors influencing the relationship between rural and urban living and marital status with the incidence of hypoglycemic episodes among type 1 diabetic patients.…”

Exploring the Significance of Vitamin D Levels as a Biomarker in Ear Diseases: A Narrative Review

“…Although the disease is self-limiting around 30% of the cases may get worse progressively leading to poor long-term outcomes such as facial weakness, deformity of face, and pain [ 32 ]. Clinical features such as hyperacusic chewing and speech as well as problems of tearing, taste, and salivation can be explained using the mixed nature of facial nerve [ 33 ]. It is established that vitamin D induces nerve recovery and regeneration.…”