New international study shows 64 per cent of
family members of people
with diabetes are worried or anxious about the risk of low blood
sugar
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 10, 2019 /CNW/ - People living
with diabetes are not the only ones impacted by the condition.
According to a new international study of 4,300 family members of
people with diabetes, worrying about low blood sugar, also known as
hypoglycemia or 'hypos', can place a significant burden on them
too.1
Low blood sugar or "lows" as they are often referred to by
people living with diabetes, are a well-known side-effect of
diabetes treatment, especially when using insulin, and they
can be very unpleasant and dangerous if not managed
properly.
To further understand how low blood sugar affects families
living with diabetes, Novo Nordisk conducted a series of filmed
experiments. In the experiments the person with diabetes and
his/her family members were asked similar questions about their
experiences with, and feelings about, low blood sugar in two
separate rooms. After the interviews, they were shown each other's
answers. The films are available at www.TalkAboutHypos.ca, along
with materials that could help improve conversations about low
blood sugar within the family, as well as with doctors.
Hamilton resident Nicole Cleaver and her family participated in
the global study. "It's not often that people with diabetes think
about the impact that hypoglycemia can have on the entire family,"
says Nicole. "Understanding the risks low blood sugar can have is
important. I have done my best to make sure that my family is aware
of my diabetes and that there is nothing for others living with
diabetes to be ashamed of. My family is all aware of what needs to
be done when I have a low blood sugar reading and they take great
care of me."
Until now, there has been very little research into the impact
of low blood sugar on the family members of people with diabetes.
The results from this new international TALK-HYPO study, published
today in Diabetes Therapy, show that up to 64 per cent of
family members of people with diabetes are worried or anxious about
the risk of low blood sugar,1 highlighting the
significance of this burden for the whole family.
"We frequently hear from people living with diabetes and their
caregivers that they fear a hypoglycemic event," says Seema Nagpal, vice president of Science &
Policy with Diabetes Canada. "It changes how people participate in
activities and negatively impacts quality of life. Listening to
individuals living with diabetes and their families is an important
part of optimizing management."
Dr. Stewart Harris, Professor in
Family Medicine/Division of Endocrinology/Epidemiology and
Biostatistics at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and
lead investigator for the TALK-HYPO study said: "There has
been little research undertaken on the wider impact of low blood
sugar on the family members of people living with diabetes. But
something as simple as having an open and honest conversation can
be incredibly beneficial. This study suggests that family members
may be an important catalyst for more conversations about low blood
sugar both within the family, as well as with healthcare
professionals, and that these conversations may help improve the
lives of people with diabetes."
The TALK-HYPO study shows the importance of having more
conversations about low blood sugar at home with the family, as
well as with doctors, as 76 per cent believe that these
conversations could lead to improvements in the life of their
family member with diabetes.1 The respondents also
feel that conversations can help bring them closer together, and
increases their understanding of how they can better help to manage
the low blood sugar that their family member with diabetes
experiences (85 per cent).1
Another interesting finding is that worrying about the risk of
low blood sugar can also have a negative impact on the social life
of the family members. Almost three in four (74 per cent) of the
respondents that were helping their relative with diabetes to
manage low blood sugar, said that they spend less time on, or
completely miss out on, other activities such as hobbies, holidays
or being with other friends or family as a result.1
About the TALK-HYPO study1
The TALK-HYPO
study was funded by Novo Nordisk and aimed to understand the burden
of low blood sugar on the family members of people with diabetes,
and how conversations about low blood sugar can contribute to
diabetes care.
The questionnaire was completed by 4,300 relatives (37 per cent
were parents/step-parents and 18 per cent were spouses/partners) of
people living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2, taking insulin
and/or secretagogues) across nine countries.
TALK-HYPO study methodology:
On behalf of Novo
Nordisk, Ipsos interviewed 4,300 participants online. All
participants were adult family members of people aged 18 and above
with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have been taking insulin or a
secretagogue for at least 12 months. The survey was carried out
across nine countries: Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Spain, UK, US and Denmark. Fieldwork took place from
April 8 to May 6, 2019.
About diabetes and low blood sugar
Diabetes is a
serious chronic disease that occurs when the body cannot properly
produce or use insulin, the hormone that moves glucose (sugar) from
food being eaten into the body's cells where it can be used for
energy.2
About hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is defined when
blood sugar levels are too low and cannot provide the body's organs
with the energy they need. Hypoglycemia is most frequent in people
with type 1 diabetes, followed by people with type 2 diabetes
managed by insulin, and people with type 2 diabetes managed by
sulfonylureas. Low blood sugar can cause a range of symptoms
including trembling, sweating, anxiety, increased heart rate,
difficulty with concentration, and in severe cases it can lead to
seizures or a coma.3
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a global
healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and
leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience
and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity,
hemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases.
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo
Nordisk employs approximately 41,700 people in 77 countries and
markets its products in more than 165 countries. For more
information, visit novonordisk.ca, Twitter, YouTube.
References
- Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing,
Ehsan Parvaresh Rizi, Stewart B. Harris. Family members: The Forgotten
Players in the Diabetes Care Team (The TALK-HYPO Study). Diabetes
Therapy. September 9, 2019.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13300-019-00687-y
- Diabetes Canada. What is
Diabetes? Accessed August 22, 2019.
https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-basics/what-is-diabetes
- Diabetes Canada. Clinical
Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Hypoglycemia. Accessed
August 22, 2019.
http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg/chapter14#sec2.
SOURCE Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.