OBJECTIVE: Inpatient hypoglycemia is a serious yet often under-recognized threat to the safety and well-being of hospitalized people with diabetes. Evidence on its prevalence and predictors in non-critical care settings remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of inpatient hypoglycemia among hospitalized adults with diabetes. METHODS: This is a two-center, retrospective cohort study involving 1,945 adult inpatients with diabetes admitted to non-critical wards in two tertiary hospitals in 2024. Participants were retrospectively followed from admission till discharge, while exposure to independent variables and hypoglycemia events were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for hypoglycemia. RESULTS: <.001). Beyond established risk factors like insulin, sulfonylurea use, and poor nutritional status, we identified novel predictors and interactions. The highest risk occurred in patients with acute or chronic kidney disease (Stage 3a and above) (adjusted Odds Ratio aOR = 3.98) and those with end-stage renal disease (aOR = 1.89). Notably, metformin (aOR = 0.54) and dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (aOR = 0.46) were found to be independently protective. CONCLUSION: Inpatient hypoglycemia remains a clinically significant complication associated with prolonged hospitalization. Key risk factors, interactions, and protective factors were identified. These provide critical data to guide risk-stratified care and enhance patient safety.
Tan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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