Reducing hypoglycemia from overtreatment of type 2 diabetes in older adults: The HypoPrevent study

Abstract

BackgroundHypoglycemia from overtreatment is a serious but underrecognized complication among older adults with type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes treatment is seldom deintensified. We assessed the effectiveness of a Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tool and shared decision‐making (SDM) in decreasing the number of patients at risk for hypoglycemia and reducing the impact of non‐severe hypoglycemic events.MethodsHypoPrevent was a pre‐post, single arm study at a five‐site primary care practice. We identified at‐risk patients (≥65 years‐old, with type 2 diabetes, treated with insulin or sulfonylureas, and HbA1c < 7.0%). During three clinic visits over 6 months, clinicians used the CDS tool and SDM to assess hypoglycemic risk, set individualized HbA1c goals, and adjust use of hypoglycemic agents. We assessed the number of patients setting individualized HbA1c goals or modifying medication use, changes in the population at risk for hypoglycemia, and changes in impact of non‐severe hypoglycemic events using a validated patient‐reported outcome tool (TRIM‐HYPO).ResultsWe enrolled 94 patients (mean age—74; mean HbA1c (±SD)—6.36% ± 0.43), of whom 94% set an individualized HbA1c goal at either the baseline or first follow‐up visit. Ninety patients completed the study. Insulin or sulfonylurea use was decreased or eliminated in 20%. An HbA1c level before and after goal setting was obtained in 53% (N = 50). Among these patients, the mean HbA1c increased 0.53% (p < 0.0001) and the number of patients at‐risk decreased by 46% (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant reductions in the impact of hypoglycemia during daily activities occurred in both the total score and each functional domain of TRIM‐HYPO.ConclusionsIn a population of older patients at risk for hypoglycemia, the use of a CDS tool and SDM reduced the population at risk and decreased the use of insulin and sulfonylureas. Using a patient‐reported outcome tool, we demonstrated significant reductions in the impact of hypoglycemia on daily life.