Glycemic awareness lower among older adults with type 1 diabetes

Data was evaluated from adults aged at least 60 years with type 1 diabetes for 20 years or longer who experienced at least one severe hypoglycemic event in the past 12 months (cases; n = 101) and age-matched controls with no severe hypoglycemia in the past three years (n = 100). Participants were recruited from 18 diabetes centers in the type 1 diabetes Exchange Clinic Network. Researchers sought to determine potential contributing factors to the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia.

Significant hypoglycemia unawareness was reported by more cases compared with controls: 43% of controls reported having symptoms when blood glucose was low compared with 11% of cases.

“Hypoglycemia unawareness, which is associated with altered counterregulation, is more common in older adults with long-duration [type 1 diabetes] than in younger individuals or those with type 2 diabetes,” the researchers wrote. “Individuals with reduced hypoglycemia awareness are more prone to severe hypoglycemia and high morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly.”

“Our results suggest that raising HbA1c goals in many patients will be insufficient to reduce severe hypoglycemia in this population due to the presence of hypoglycemia unawareness and increased glucose variability,” they added. “Therefore, until an artificial pancreas or beta-cell replacement therapy becomes available, frequent home glucose measurements may be an important strategy for these patients. Other methods to reduce hypoglycemic exposure and minimize beta-blocker use should be considered. The use of current technologies, such as [continuous glucose monitoring] and threshold suspend pumps, in this population requires further study.”