Mild hypoglycaemia is common in type 2 diabetic patients treated with insulin analogues in the Czech Republic and the patients are concerned about it: results of a GAPP2^TM survey (Global Attitudes of Physicians and Patient)

Overview

Objective:
Mild hypoglycaemia affects diabetes management, productivity and quality of life of patients. Data are scarce about the incidence of mild hypoglycaemia in daily life of type 2 diabetic patients treated with insulin analogues. The aim was to focus on the incidence of mild hypoglycaemia and its consequences in the international GAPP2™ survey (Global Attitudes of Patient and Physicians) conducted also in the Czech Republic.

Methods:
The GAPP2 ™ project – Global Attitudes of Patients and Physicians is an international cross-sectional study conducted online via Internet in a questionnaire form dedicated to type 2 diabetic patients treated with insulin analogues and physicians who treat these patients. The survey was realized in two steps including 17 countries. The first step was completed by six countries in 2012. The second step was terminated by additional eleven countries including the Czech Republic in 2014. The survey was designed to obtain data on some aspects of insulin therapy and persistent issues in daily practice from the views of patients and physicians. One part of survey was dedicated to mild hypoglycaemia occurring in treatment with insulin analogues. The incidence of mild hypoglycaemia and the reaction of patients and physicians on hypoglycaemia (including modification of therapy, self-monitoring) were investigated. Moreover, there was investigated the impact of mild hypoglycaemia on quality of life from the view of patients and physicians.

Results:
The results of the survey have shown that mild hypoglycaemia is common in patients with insulin analogues in the Czech Republic. In addition, patients in the Czech Republic are more afraid from hypoglycaemia and feel more limited in daily life in comparison to other countries in GAPP2 ™ survey. Patients try to avoid nocturnal hypoglycaemia through reduction or omission of prescribed dose of insulin. Furthermore, research has observed that physicians are poorly informed by patients about incidence and severity of hypoglycaemia.

Conclusion:
The incidence of mild hypoglycaemia is in the Czech Republic as common as in other countries involved in the GAPP2 ™ survey. However, the Czech patients are more afraid and this fact is often hidden before physicians. Increased fear of hypoglycaemia suggests inadequate education in terms of how to avoid and manage hypoglycaemia. Particular emphasis should be placed on nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Physicians should discuss more with patients about issue of hypoglycaemia. It is important to motivate patients to share the information with physicians about incidence and severity of hypoglycaemia.

Key words:
adherence – basal insulin – hypoglycaemia – insulin omission – insulin therapy – type 2 diabetes mellitus