Severe hypoglycaemia. A one-year prospective survey in Wollongong.

A one-year prospective survey of serious hypoglycaemia has been carried out in the Wollongong area. Of insulin-treated patients attending the diabetes clinic, 3.5% had a hypoglycaemic attack of sufficient severity to be referred to hospital. A further 1% received treatment for attacks of hypoglycaemia at home. It is considered that nearly two-thirds of the attacks of hypoglycaemia may have been preventable. Further reductions may be achieved by the better education of patients about their disease.