Here's why overtreatment of diabetes could be dangerous
| Aug 20, 2019, 13:10 IST
A new study warns diabetes patients who receive too much glucose-lowering therapy may be putting their health at risk, especially those who have type 1 diabetes. Overtreatment of diabetes has become a more dangerous issue, according to the new research conducted by the Mayo Clinic in the US. Another study also found many type 2 diabetes patients were over monitoring their glucose levels. This could cause one to misuse tests and be wasteful.
The Mayo Clinic researchers found people are receiving too much glucose-lowering therapy, which could put them at risk of developing hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar levels.
"Hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, is one of the most common serious adverse effects of diabetes therapy, causing both immediate and long term harm to [people] who experience it," lead author of the study Dr Rozalina McCoy, told a news portal. Adding, "Severe hypoglycemia, defined by the need for another person to help the patient treat and terminate their hypoglycemic event, is associated with increased risk of death, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, falls and fractures, and poor quality of life."
The team hopes that the findings raise awareness about the risks involved in overtreating patients. "We need to align treatment regimens and goals with each patient's clinical situation, health status, psychosocial situation, and reality of everyday life to ensure that care is consistent with their goals, preferences, and values," McCoy told a news portal. Adding, "While some episodes of hypoglycemia may be unavoidable, especially if caused by unmodifiable risk factors such as need for insulin therapy, others may be preventable, as in the case of overtreatment."
McCoyfurther explained: "It is important not only to ensure that we do not undertreat our patients with diabetes, but also that we do not overtreat them because both undertreatment and overtreatment can harm our patients."
The Mayo Clinic researchers found people are receiving too much glucose-lowering therapy, which could put them at risk of developing hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar levels.
"Hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, is one of the most common serious adverse effects of diabetes therapy, causing both immediate and long term harm to [people] who experience it," lead author of the study Dr Rozalina McCoy, told a news portal. Adding, "Severe hypoglycemia, defined by the need for another person to help the patient treat and terminate their hypoglycemic event, is associated with increased risk of death, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, falls and fractures, and poor quality of life."
The team hopes that the findings raise awareness about the risks involved in overtreating patients. "We need to align treatment regimens and goals with each patient's clinical situation, health status, psychosocial situation, and reality of everyday life to ensure that care is consistent with their goals, preferences, and values," McCoy told a news portal. Adding, "While some episodes of hypoglycemia may be unavoidable, especially if caused by unmodifiable risk factors such as need for insulin therapy, others may be preventable, as in the case of overtreatment."
McCoyfurther explained: "It is important not only to ensure that we do not undertreat our patients with diabetes, but also that we do not overtreat them because both undertreatment and overtreatment can harm our patients."