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Glycemic control unaffected Hypoglycemia impacts on people with diabetes in 2 ways. It is patients’ greatest fear, and the major barrier to achieving near-normal glyemic control . It has been suggested that caffeine may increase an individual’s sensitivity to hypolgycemia and enhance a low blood glucose level. To date there are no studies investigating the effect of caffeine in free-living individuals using the novel technique of the continuous glucose sensor.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine (in doses equivalent to normal daily ingestion) on rates and severity of hypoglycemia in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes.
Twenty patients with type 1 diabetes (10 men, age 44±9 years, duration 19±10 years) participated in a double blind, randomized, cross-over study comparing caffeine 250mg twice daily and matching placebo. At the end of each 2 week period, subjects were fitted with a continuous glucose sensor (CGMS) for 48 hours. The CGMS was repeated at the end of the cross-over period.
The results showed that caffeine reduced duration of nocturnal hypoglycemia (mean (SD): 132 (150) minutes versus 49 (82), p=0.042). The reduction in duration of night-time hypoglycemia was due to a decline in the number of episodes of moderate hypoglycemia at the expense of mild hypoglycemic episodes (p=0.04). Glycemic control was unaffected in either study.
The results suggest a reduction in nocturnal hypoglycemia associated with caffeine ingestion.
Abstract ADA 64th Scientific Sessions
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