Table 3 Characterization of severe hypoglycaemia episodes recorded in the Emergency Department (n 61)

Glycaemia (mg/dL)

On site: 38 ± 13.7 (3 below 20 mg/dL)

Minimum–maximum: 20–68

ED arrival: 103 ± 80.5

Minimum–maximum: 20–349

 Patients evaluated by our PH: 202 ± 82.6

Glasgow coma scale

All episodes: 14.0 (5.5–15.0)

Nocturnal: 8.5 (3.0–15.0)

Diurnal: 15.0 (13.5–15.0)

Administration of treatment on site

Relative: 15 (24.6%)

Health professional: 26 (42.6%)

Type of treatment on site (available information in 24 cases)

Hypertonic glucose: 13

Per os: 10

Glucagon: 1

Type of treatment in the ED

56 (91.8%) patients received any kind of treatment

 Per os: 2

 Hypertonic glucose: 23 (mean 2.2 ± 0.79 vials)

 Glucose 5–10% solution: 31

Maximal glycaemia during ED stay (mmol/L)

256 ± 90.9

Minimum–maximum: 85–Hi

Workup requested?

Yes: 52 (85.2%)

No: 9 (14.8%)

Admission in the short stay unit

Yes: 18 (29.5%)

No: 43 (70.5%)

ED stay duration (h)

17.2 ± 1.27

Discharge destination

Home: 40 (65.6%)

Other facility: 2 (3.3%)

Ward: 19 (31.1%)