Hypoglycaemia in adults with insulin-treated diabetes in the UK: self-reported frequency and effects

Aim Few real‐life studies of non‐severe (self‐treated) hypoglycaemic events are available. This survey quantified the self‐reported frequency of non‐severe hypoglycaemia and its effects in adults with insulin‐treated diabetes in the UK. Methods Adults aged > 15 years with Type 1 diabetes or insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes completed ≤ 4 weekly questionnaires (7–day recall). Respondents with Type 2 diabetes were grouped by insulin regimen: basal‐only, basal–bolus and ‘other’. Results Overall, 1038 respondents (466 with Type 1 diabetes, 572 with Type 2 diabetes) completed 3528 questionnaires. Mean numbers of non‐severe events per week were 2.4 (Type 1 diabetes; median = 2) and 0.8 (Type 2 diabetes; median = 0); 23% and 26% of non‐severe events occurred at night, respectively. Fatigue and reduced alertness were the commonest issues following events (78% and 51% of respondents, respectively). The effects of nocturnal events persisted longer than those of daytime events: Type 1 diabetes = 10.6 vs. 4.9 h (P = 0.0002); Type 2 diabetes = 15.3 vs. 5.1 h (P