Anti-diabetic drugs as a cause of hypoglycaemia among acute medical admissions in Hong Kong and Singapore--relationship to the prescribing patterns in diabetic patients
Chan, T.Y.
Singapore Medical Journal 39(4): 186-188
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 9676153 Document Number: 487502
Severe hypoglycaemia due to anti-diabetic drugs is a more important cause of medical admissions in Hong Kong (1.5%) than in Singapore (0.4%-0.8%), although the prevalence and pattern of diabetes mellitus in the two Chinese populations are similar. Review of the available drug utilisation data indicated that glibenclamide and tolbutamide are the most frequently used sulphonylurea in Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively. These drugs also predominate among diabetic patients admitted with hypoglycaemia in the respective population. Since the risk of hypoglycaemia is greater for glibenclamide than other sulphonylureas, the increased incidence of anti-diabetic drug-induced hypoglycaemia in Hong Kong may, at least in part, be related to the frequent use of glibenclamide.