For older adults with diabetes hospitalized for common medical conditions, discharge with intensified diabetes medications increases the short-term risk for severe hypoglycemia but does not reduce severe hyperglycemia events or A1C levels within 1 year, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers conducted a retrospective study involving patients aged 65 or older with diabetes not taking insulin who were hospitalized for common medical conditions. Within 30 days, the risk for severe hypoglycemia was higher (HR, 2.17), there was no difference in the risk for severe hyperglycemia (HR, 1.00), and the risk for death was lower (HR, 0.55) for patients who received medication intensifications. No differences were seen in the risk for severe hypoglycemia events, severe hyperglycemia events, or death at 1 year. Those who did and did not receive intensifications had no difference in the change in A1C level at 1 year (mean post-discharge A1C: 7.72% vs 7.70%).
