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Query: UMLS:C0011849 (diabetes)
 277,896 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Artifactual hypoglycemia results from either improper collection of blood samples or interfering substances in the blood. Such artifacts should be easily detected and avoided. Factitious hypoglycemia, on the other hand, results from deliberate subterfuge by the patient and may thus elude proper diagnosis for some time. The most common cause of factitious hypoglycemia is surreptitious injection of insulin, and this is best diagnosed by the triad of hypoglycemia, inappropriately high insulin levels, and low C-peptide levels. Persons with diabetes may also intentionally misuse blood glucose strips to create the impression of hypoglycemia.
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PMID:Factitious and artifactual hypoglycemia. 264 27

Ten patients had factitious hypoglycemia due to surreptitious insulin injections diagnosed and were followed for up to 15 years (median, 5 years; range, 2 months to 15 years). When available, demonstration of anti-insulin antibodies was the most helpful diagnostic test. Decreased plasma C-peptide levels corroborated the diagnosis. Young women (nine of ten) with knowledge of the medical profession or relatives with diabetes mellitus predominated in the sample. Five of the patients had a history of insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus. Two patients eventually committed suicide despite the best efforts at therapy. Only three of ten patients made a successful transition into productive life after the diagnosis of factitious hypoglycemia was established. Factitious hypoglycemia remains a difficult diagnosis to make, and the long-term outcome after the diagnosis is established is unpredictable. All efforts have to be made to confirm the diagnosis before the patients are approached. The confrontation is to be made by an experienced team of health care professionals who have gained the patient's confidence through an understanding but firm manner. Long-term therapy must be planned and initiated before the patient's discharge.
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PMID:Factitious hypoglycemia due to surreptitious administration of insulin. Diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up. 327 9