Drug-Induced Hypoglycemic Coma in 102 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

DIABETIC PATIENTS who are treated with insulin and/or hypoglycemic drugs are at a greater risk of suffering hypoglycemic episodes than diabetic patients treated by diet only, a fact that has been supported by the widespread systemic monitoring of blood glucose during the last decade.^1-3 The inability of the brain to utilize oxygen at low blood glucose levels despite normal arterial oxygen tension results in impaired brain function.⁴ Drug-induced hypoglycemia is an ongoing threat for diabetic patients treated with insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents; it may be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.^5-26 Although publications document the occurrence of drug-induced hypoglycemic coma (DIHC), no recent study directly addresses this issue. The purpose of this study is to describe our clinical experience with DIHC in 102 patients.