Prevalence and Prognosis of Hypoglycemia in Patients Receiving Maintenance Dialysis

Aims End-stage renal disease is a common predisposing condition for the development of hypoglycemia. Here we aimed to determine the effect of hypoglycemia on the mortality of patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Methods Retrospective and descriptive analyses were performed in five dialysis centers in Republic of Korea, between June 2002 and August 2008. We enrolled 1685 patients who had undergone dialysis for at least 1 month. Results We identified 453 episodes of hypoglycemia in 256 of 1685 patients (15.2%); 189 patients (73.8%) had diabetes, whereas the other patients did not. The occurrence of hypoglycemia in patients receiving dialysis appeared to be a life-threatening complication because 27.0% of patients died within 2 days of the onset of a hypoglycemic episode. Older age, low serum albumin levels, and infections were independent risk factors for total mortality in these patients. Furthermore, the absence of diabetes, age, and serum glucose levels were independent factors associated with early mortality within 2 days of the development of hypoglycemia. Conclusion Although several factors were associated with mortality, the degree of hypoglycemia, absence of diabetes, and old age were associated with early mortality. Elderly hypoglycemic patients, especially those without diabetes, should be closely monitored.