Abstract

The Association between Hypoglycemia Requiring Emergency Medical Intervention and Patient Health Outcomes

Author(s):Mariam H Abdalla, Laila Layqah, Abdullah M Altuwayjiri, Ziad M Alshaharani, Mohammed Abujamal, Hind S Almodaimegh and Daham N Al Daham

Objectives: To examine the association between hypoglycemia requiring presentation at an emergency department and patient health outcomes in terms of duration of hospital stay and mortality rate. Method: A retrospective chart review study of all patients with hypoglycemia as the primary diagnosis admitted to the emergency department and met the inclusion criteria was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) between January 2015 and March 2016. Data were collected from an electronic health records database (Best care) and medical charts and pharmacy records were reviewed. Results: A total of 51 patients were included in the study. Twenty-two patients (42.31%) were admitted because of hypoglycemia. The total mortality rate was 3.92% (2 patients). The total length of hospitalization was higher in deceased patients (4.00 ± 4.24 days) compared to that in surviving patients (1.45 ± 1.21 days). At presentation, 22 patients (44.00%) had no prior interventions; nine were hypoglycemic, while 13 were non-hypoglycemic. In contrast, five patients (10.00%) received hypoglycemic intervention prior to arrival in the ER; one was hypoglycemic, and four were non-hypoglycemic. There was a zero mortality rate among patients who received pre-arrival interventions compared to a rate of 9.09% among patients who did not receive pre-arrival interventions. The chi-square test was used to assess statistical significance. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study shows no correlation between hypoglycemia and mortality or the total duration of hospitalization. In addition, there was no significant relationship between the incidence of hypoglycemic events and different comorbidities. 

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