Abstract

Background: Hypoglycemia is an endocrine emergency that can alter the patient’s mental status, resulting in lethargy, confusion and organ dysfunction. The present study was conducted to assess clinical characterisation of severe hypoglycaemia in hospitalized patients.
Materials & Methods: 74 patients presenting to emergency with hypoglycaemia of both genders were selected. Causes of hypoglycaemia were identified A blood glucose concentration was determined by Accu-Check Gluco-stix. Hypoglycaemia was defined as a capillary blood glucose of 70 mg/dL or less.
Results: Out of 74 patients, males were 34 and females were 40. The mean HGT was 42.5, pulse rate was 87.2 beats per minute, systolic blood pressure was 134.2 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure was 80.6 mm Hg and GCS was 10.4. Common causes of hypoglycaemia were OHA in 34, OHA+ insulin in 12, insulin in 10, others in 6, skipped meal in 7 and alcohol in 5 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Common clinical features were anorexia in 45, fever in 68, syncope in 42 and others in 21. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Common causes of hypoglycaemia were OHA, OHA+ insulin, insulin, others, skipped meal and alcohol. Common clinical features were anorexia, fever, syncope and others.