Risk Factors for Hospitalization Due to Hypoglycemia in Diabetic Patients in Northeast Thailand

Background: Hypoglycemia among diabetic patients is a major complication, which results in high morbidity and mortality. Hospitalization provides the inadequate patient care and management. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors for hospitalization due to hypoglycemia among diabetic patients. Method: In a case-control study, the cases were diabetic patients admitted due to hypoglycemia. Controls were diabetic patients admitted for other reasons. The cases and control subjects were recruited from the inpatient department of the middle level hospital in Northeast Thailand. The total sample size was 360 patients who met the criteria and had been hospitalized. The number of case was 90, and the number of controls was 270. The data were analyzed by determining the adjusted odds ratio, and 95% confidence interval of the ORs using multiple logistic regression models. Results: Using a multivariate logistic regression model, five variables were significantly associated with hospitalization due to hypoglycemia among diabetic patients: 1) patients who received insulin injections (AOR = 20.75; 95% CI: 4.7 - 91.41; p = 0.001); 2) patients who did not carry sugar candy or a dessert with them at all times (AOR = 13.89; 95% CI: 1.92 - 100.31; p = 0.01); 3) patients with an occurrence of hypoglycemia at least once a week at home(AOR = 8.83; 95% CI: 2.58 - 30.20; p = 0.001); 4) patients who were adjusted for doses of medication on their own (AOR = 6.62; 95% CI: 1.30 - 33.70; p = 0.02); and 5) patients who lacked knowledge did not understand the causes and symptoms of low blood sugar (AOR = 7.97; 95% CI: 1.97 - 32.22; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Receiving insulin injection and poor knowledge and self-care of hypoglycemia prevention were the best predictors of hospitalization due to hypoglycemia among diabetic patients. These factors need to be adequately addressed in order to provide better care and management to prevent hospitalization among diabetic patients.