379-P: Changes in Diabetes Management after a Hospital Visit for Severe Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Clinical guidelines recommend reevaluation of glucose-lowering medications and relaxation of HbA1c targets in patients with diabetes after a severe hypoglycemic event. We compared diabetes management before and after hypoglycemia requiring emergency department (ED) visit or hospital admission. Using data from OptumLabs® Data Warehouse, we identified privately insured and Medicare Advantage enrollees 18+ years with pharmacologically-treated type 2 diabetes and an ED visit or hospitalization for hypoglycemia between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. We assessed the differences in the number of physician office visits, glucometer test strips filled, continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use, diabetes medication fills, and HbA1c levels (available for 1582 [27.7%]), within 6 months prior to and 6 months after hypoglycemia. Among 5721 patients with type 2 diabetes and severe hypoglycemia, mean age was 67.8 (SD 12.3), 51% women, 63% white, and 68% used insulin. Changes in management are summarized in Table 1. After an event, the proportion of patients filling insulin increased, but the proportion filling sulfonylureas declined. Less than one third of patients with a baseline HbA1c <7% had a substantially higher post-event HbA1c. Few of the recommended changes in diabetes management occur after a severe hypoglycemic event. These findings suggest the need for better post-event care to improve the safety of glucose-lowering therapy. Disclosure P. Vijayakumar: None. S. Liu: None. P.A. Kahn: None. R.G. McCoy: None. A.J. Karter: None. K.J. Lipska: Consultant; Self; Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG). Research Support; Self; National Institute on Aging. Other Relationship; Self; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (T35DK104689); National Institute on Aging; American Federation for Aging Research; National Institutes of Health (K23AG048359)