OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycaemia is the commonest diabetic emergency and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This study looked at the use of the emergency services by people with diabetes, with particular reference to hypoglycaemia. METHOD: Data were collected on all attendances related to diabetes at accident and emergency departments at two district general hospitals in Surrey, UK, over a one year period. RESULTS: Hypoglycaemia was the commonest reason for attendance at accident and emergency. The management of hypoglycaemia was variable, the most frequent method of treatment being intramuscular glucagon administered by the ambulance service. Ninety per cent of patients with hypoglycaemia were either discharged or self-discharged from the accident and emergency department, and half of these patients had no follow up arranged. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycaemia is the commonest diabetic emergency and current management is suboptimal. Standardised protocols and better education of healthcare professionals and patients are required.
OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycaemia is the commonest diabetic emergency and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This study looked at the use of the emergency services by people with diabetes, with particular reference to hypoglycaemia. METHOD: Data were collected on all attendances related to diabetes at accident and emergency departments at two district general hospitals in Surrey, UK, over a one year period. RESULTS: Hypoglycaemia was the commonest reason for attendance at accident and emergency. The management of hypoglycaemia was variable, the most frequent method of treatment being intramuscular glucagon administered by the ambulance service. Ninety per cent of patients with hypoglycaemia were either discharged or self-discharged from the accident and emergency department, and half of these patients had no follow up arranged. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoglycaemia is the commonest diabetic emergency and current management is suboptimal. Standardised protocols and better education of healthcare professionals and patients are required.
Authors: Graham P Leese; Jixian Wang; Janice Broomhall; Paul Kelly; Andrew Marsden; William Morrison; Brian M Frier; Andrew D Morris Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: S Anderson; P D Høgskilde; J Wetterslev; M Bredgaard; J T Møller; J B Dahl Journal: Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 2.105
Authors: Huan Wang; Peter T Donnan; Callum J Leese; Edward Duncan; David Fitzpatrick; Brian M Frier; Graham P Leese Journal: Clin Diabetes Endocrinol Date: 2017-08-15
Authors: Sílvia Alão; João Conceição; Jorge Dores; Lèlita Santos; Francisco Araújo; Estevão Pape; Mónica Reis; Árcia Chipepo; Edite Nascimento; Ana Baptista; Vanessa Pires; Carlos Marques; Adriana De Sousa Lages; João Pelicano-Romano; Paula M de Jesus Journal: Clin Diabetes Endocrinol Date: 2021-01-05
Authors: Edward A S Duncan; David Fitzpatrick; Theresa Ikegwuonu; Josie Evans; Margaret Maxwell Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-04-24 Impact factor: 2.692