Severe hypoglycemia, impaired awareness of hypoglycemia, and self-monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES—Australia

Abstract

Aims To assess prevalence of severe hypoglycemia, awareness and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and their associations with self-monitoring of blood glucose. Methods Diabetes MILES—Australia Study participants completed validated questionnaires and study-specific items. Results Of 642 adults with type 1 diabetes, 21% reported ≥ 1 severe hypoglycemic event in the past six months, and 21% reported impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH). Severe hypoglycemia was increased four-fold for those with IAH compared with intact awareness (1.4 ± 3.9 versus 0.3 ± 1.0). Of those with IAH, 92% perceived autonomic and 88% neuroglycopenic symptoms, albeit at lower glucose thresholds compared to people with intac..