Risk of hypoglycaemia in types 1 and 2 diabetes: effects of treatment modalities and their duration

We explored the epidemiology of hypoglycaemia in individuals with insulin-treated diabetes by testing the hypothesis that diabetes type and duration of insulin treatment influence the risk of hypoglycaemia. This was an observational study over 9-12 months in six UK secondary care diabetes centres. Altogether 383 patients were involved. Patients were divided into the following three treatment groups for type 2 diabetes: (1) sulfonylureas, (2) insulin for 5 years, and into two treatment groups for type 1 diabetes, namely 15 years disease duration. Self-reported (mild and severe) and biochemical episodes (interstitial glucose