Abstract

AimsTo determine the association between ambient temperature and severe hypoglycemia. MethodsThis was a prospective observational study performed in a prehospital setting. Data from the Emergency Medical Service in Hamburg (Germany) and data from the local weather station were evaluated over a 5-year period. Lowess-regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between ambient temperature and frequency of severe hypoglycemia. Additionally, three temperature-ranges were defined in order to compare them with each other with regard to frequency of severe hypoglycemia (<10°C vs. 10–20°C vs. >20°C). ResultsIn 2592 patients severe hypoglycemia was diagnosed and treated by emergency physicians (T1DM: n=829/32%; T2DM: n=1763/68%). The median age of patients was 64 (57–72 [20–85]) years. Compared to mild temperatures (10–20°C) the frequency of severe hypoglycemia increased significantly at temperatures above 20°C (+18% (95%-CI: [7%; 22%], p=0.007) and below 10°C (+15% (95%-CI: [6%; 24%], p<0.001). ConclusionsThe results suggest the existence of a “thermal comfort zone” covering a temperature range from 10 to 20°C in which the frequency of severe hypoglycemia was significantly lower than below 10°C and above 20°C.

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