A new international study shows that 64% of family members of people with diabetes are worried or anxious about the risk of hypoglycaemia, and that more open conversations may help
Results from the international TALK-HYPO study, which surveyed 4,300 family members of people living with diabetes*, published in Diabetes Therapy, show that hypoglycaemia, also known as ‘hypos’ or low blood sugar, can be perceived as a substantial burden by family members of people with diabetes.1
64% of family members of people with diabetes report being worried or anxious about the risk of hypoglycaemia, with 66% stating that they think about their family members’ risk of hypos at least once a month. Added to this, 74% of the study participants that were helping their relative with diabetes to manage their hypos, state that they spend less time on, or forgo entirely, other activities such as hobbies, holidays or being with other friends or family as a result.1
“There has been little research undertaken on how big a burden hypos can actually be – not only for the person living with diabetes – but also for family members,” says 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. “As relevant as it is in clinical practice, hypoglycaemia is often overlooked during a regular consultation. This study suggests that having more hypo-talks may help improve the lives of people with diabetes and their family members.”
The TALK-HYPO study also highlights the importance of talking more about hypos, as 76% of the respondents believe that having more conversations on this topic can lead to a positive impact on the life of their relative living with diabetes.1
Over 80% of the respondents feel that talking about hypos with their relatives who live with diabetes brings them closer together. A similar proportion report that hypo conversations help them understand how they can better help with the management of hypos, as well as having a better understanding of what their relative with diabetes is going through.1
Adam Burt, Corporate Affairs Director at Novo Nordisk UK said: This study shows that there is a communications barrier between those living with diabetes and their families, who are worried and anxious about the health impact of hypos on their loved ones. The challenge of managing hypoglycaemia can take a toll on family relationships, impacting on day to day life. We hope these insights will encourage more conversations around hypos within families as well as with their doctors, to help build a better understanding of diabetes and strengthen family relationships in the process.”
When conversations about hypos do happen, study participants report that they initiate nearly half (45%) of these, with 43% reporting that the primary barrier to these conversations is their relative with diabetes not wanting to talk about hypos. 78% of family members who participated in the study also encourage their relative with diabetes to discuss hypos with their HCPs, where prevention and treatment of hypos are the most commonly encouraged topics.1
About the TALK-HYPO study1
Learn more on www.TalkAboutHypos.co.uk
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 95 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, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,600 people in 80 countries and markets its products in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Stewart B. Harris, CM, MD, MPH, FCFP, FACPM
Dr. Harris is a Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada and holds the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management and the Ian McWhinney Chair of Family Medicine Studies. He is also Medical Director at the Primary Care Diabetes Support Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care – an integrated team-based diabetes clinic for disenfranchised and marginalized populations.
Dr. Harris has published over 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals and participated extensively in clinical practice guideline development, including serving as chair of the Canadian Diabetes Association clinical practice guidelines committee. He is the recipient of the Ontario Ministry of Heath Career Scientist award, the Dr. Gerald S. Wong Service Award of the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research at Western University, and is a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
On July 1, 2015, Dr. Harris was appointed to the Order of Canada for his contributions to the development of strategies to manage and reduce diabetes in Aboriginal communities and other vulnerable populations.
References
* Type 1 or type 2, taking insulin and/or secretagogues
1.Harris SB, Ratzki-Leewing A and Parvaresh E. Family members: the forgotten players in the diabetes care team (The TALK-HYPO Study) Diabetes Therapy.
