Prevalence Causes Clinical features Investigations Therapy Prevention Prognosis

Clinical features Ask about current insulin regimen a   duration of diabetes b   glycaemic control a  b and HbA1c levels b   any previous episodes of hypoglycaemia b   current medication, particularly ACE inhibitor, b  oral hypoglycaemic b  and beta-blocker use any cardiac problems b   Look for symptoms of hypoglycaemia (sweating, tachycardia, altered consciousness, aggression, confusion) c, but do not assume patients who are asymptomatic are normoglycaemic. c

Expiry date: April 2004
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides