681-P: Survey of Medical Staff on Use of Glucagon Injection in the Event of Serious Hypoglycemia in Japanese Diabetic Patients—Reason for Poor Spread of Glucagon Use in Japan

Abstract

Glucagon injection is effective in the event of serious hypoglycemia, especially in unconscious patients who cannot swallow their medications. However, recent surveys in Japan found that only 15.9% of patients have glucagon injections in their possession, and both the adoption rate and the level of awareness in Japan lag behind those of Western countries. This suggests that the medical care and education system for diabetes patients in Japan should deal with this issue not only with patients and their families, but also with healthcare professionals engaged in patient guidance. We carried out a questionnaire survey of the staff at our hospital to determine the state of awareness and provision of glucagon injections by the medical staff in the event of serious hypoglycemia. A questionnaire was distributed to 100 medical staff at our hospital who were engaged in treatment of diabetes, requesting information about the state of knowledge and awareness on glucagon injections. All physicians and about 30% of nurses provided guidance on glucagon injection. In contrast, only a few nutritionists, pharmacists, clinical technologists, and other professionals, who were Certified Diabetes Educators of Japan, had ever done so. We concluded that the lack of knowledge among the medical staff about the technique of glucagon injection and related specific instructions may be one reason for the low rate of glucagon possession and use among the Japanese diabetics. The results suggested that the medical staff have poor knowledge about the technique of injection of glucagon and related instructions, and that a procedure has yet to be established for collection of expired unused dispensed glucagon vials and for re-prescription. Our results highlighted the need for educational programs for a sizeable proportion of healthcare professionals who are involved in the management of diabetes but lack specific information on glucagon injection. Disclosure N. Saito: None. M. Toyoda: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Medtronic Japan Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. M. Kimura: None. M. Fukagawa: Research Support; Self; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.