A groundbreaking study at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes reveals that adults with diabetes facing food insecurity are more than twice as likely to experience severe hypoglycaemia
In a pioneering investigation, Dr. Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing and her team at Western University, London, Canada, explored the relationship between food insecurity and severe hypoglycaemia in adults with diabetes.
Alarming prevalence of food insecurity
Startlingly, the study exposed the widespread prevalence of food insecurity, with approximately one in five participants experiencing it, irrespective of diabetes type.
Severe hypoglycaemia, characterised by dangerously low blood sugar levels, is rare in diabetes. However, this research revealed a significant link between food insecurity and a doubled risk of severe hypoglycaemia.
Immediate and long-term consequences of hypoglycaemia
Severe hypoglycaemia can lead to immediate health risks, including seizures and coma, while long-term effects may include nerve and heart damage and premature mortality, bearing significant economic costs.
A call for action to for public health strategists
The study calls for healthcare providers to employ screening questions to identify food insecurity among patients on insulin or secretagogues.
Furthermore, it highlights the urgency of public health strategies to combat food insecurity and prevent severe hypoglycaemia, particularly in an era of rising living costs globally.
The study’s findings underscore the profound impact of food insecurity on the health of adults with diabetes, particularly those reliant on insulin or secretagogues. The revelation that food insecurity more than doubles the risk of severe hypoglycaemia carries significant implications for both healthcare providers and policymakers.
In the short term, the consequences of severe hypoglycaemia are dire, posing immediate dangers to those affected. It can result in seizures, coma, and impaired awareness of falling blood glucose levels, thereby increasing the risk of recurrent hypoglycaemia episodes.
Severe hypoglycaemia linked to nerve and heart damage
Long-term ramifications are equally concerning, with severe hypoglycaemia linked to nerve and heart damage, as well as premature mortality. These effects not only entail substantial direct health costs but also indirect economic burdens on healthcare systems and society as a whole.
To mitigate this crisis, healthcare professionals are urged to incorporate screening questions to identify individuals grappling with food insecurity, particularly those prescribed insulin or secretagogues.
Moreover, the study’s results emphasise the urgency of public health strategies to address food insecurity, given the escalating cost of living, both in the United States and globally.
By addressing food insecurity as a critical determinant of severe hypoglycaemia, healthcare systems and policymakers can pave the way for improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and a better quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.
This study illuminates a pivotal opportunity to alleviate the burden of severe diabetes-related hypoglycaemia while enhancing overall health and well-being in an increasingly challenging economic landscape.
