Knowledge of Hypoglycemia Symptoms Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients at NIMSR Kohima
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Abstract
Background: Hypoglycemia symptoms awareness is indispensable for effective management critical to avert serious complications and potentially life-threatening outcomes. The objective of the study was to assess the awareness of hypoglycemia symptoms among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus attending the outpatient department (OPD) and Medicine wards of Department of General Medicine, Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima, Nagaland. The study was done over a period of 2 (two) years from June 2023 to May 2025. Results: The mean age of the study population was 56.81 ± 12.79 years. The duration of diabetes in 50% patients was less than 5 years. The knowledge of target fasting level and postprandial blood glucose level was known to only 32.8% of the study population. 62.3% patients experienced at least one episode of hypoglycemia symptoms while on medication. Excessive hunger (67.2%), weakness (65.2%) and drowsiness (58.3%) were the most recognised hypoglycemia symptoms. Conclusion: The detrimental effect of hypoglycemia can be significantly reduced by patient awareness and response intervention to the recognised symptom. The healthcare providers should effectively foster strategies to enhance hypoglycemia awareness among diabetic individuals so as to potentially improve outcomes for those individuals at risk.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Medo M. Kuotsu, Azhanuo Khezhie, Deepak Dhakal
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