Hypoglycemia In Diabetics 65 Years And Older Using Ademolus Classification Of Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Introduction: Aging is one of the well-recognized risk factor of diabetes mellitus recognized worldwide in literature. Aging at the molecular and cellular level is characterized by the occurrence and accumulation of damage in DNA and RNA protein. This research seeks to answer the question what clinical deduction can be derived from the management of diabetics 65 years and above in African when Ademolus Classification of Hypoglycemia (ACH) is used as a tool in this age bracket? Methodology: This is a retrospective study of 182 documented hypoglycemic episodes occurring in 64 diabetics attending the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja in Africa between September 2004 and November 2017, a 13 years period. Exclusion criteria include probable hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia occurring in non-diabetics, hypoglycemia in diabetics aged below 65years were also excluded from the study. Hypoglycemia was defined as blood sugar of 70mg/dl or less whether symptomatic or not. Result: In all,182 episodes of hypoglycemia were analyzed. 97 episodes from the 22 in patients involved in this study and 85 hypoglycemic episodes from 42 out patients involved in this study. Discussion: The tendency for elderly diabetic patients 65 years and above to develop hypoglycemia is more with in patient or hospitalized patient management when blood sugar control is intensive compared with outpatient management. Also, from this study, it can be deducted that if diabetics 65 years and older is having life threatening problem with repeated severe hypoglycemia while on insulin or insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents then consider placing them on oral hypoglycemic agents alone Conclusion: The tendency for elderly diabetic patients 65 years and above to develop hypoglycemia is more with in patient or hospitalized patient.