Frequency and Predisposing Factors for Drug-Induced Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Hypoglycemia is the most common complication of the treatment for diabetes mellitus. Various factors predispose an individual for drug‑induced hypoglycemia. The aim of this study was to explore the relative frequency and likely predisposing factors for drug‑induced hypoglycemia among type‑2 diabetic patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In this cross-sectional survey‑based study which was conducted from February to April 2018 in two local community pharmacies in the UAE, diabetic patients underwent a structured interview on their diabetes mellitus status and management and specific open‑ended questions related to hypoglycemic symptoms that they might have experienced and the occurrence of symptoms. Collected data were used to estimate the relative frequency of drug‑induced hypoglycemia and to identify the probable predisposing factors and their contribution in causing hypoglycemia using relative risk, Chi‑square test, and Fisher’s exact test.

The relative frequency of drug‑induced hypoglycemia in our study was 46.25%. Patients’ age of ≥65 years, duration of diabetes mellitus for more than 1 year, patients with more than one comorbid condition, and patients using more than one antidiabetic medication were predisposing for developing drug‑induced hypoglycemia.

The relative frequency of drug‑induced hypoglycemia in a nontrial environment which lacks the special cares routinely provided in drug development clinical trials is high. We suggest that more attention should be paid to identify, prevent, and manage drug‑induced hypoglycemia in type‑2 diabetic patients who have more than 1 year of diabetes, more than one comorbidity, using more than one antidiabetic medication, and elderly.