Hypoglycemia Risk and Events in U.S.—Geographical Distribution
Room 343
Level 3, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Q&A with Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing, PhD(c), MSc
Epidemiologist,
Western University
What is your presentation about?
We’ll review the prevailing epidemiologic evidence on hypoglycemia in the US and why it might be dangerously misleading.
What makes this topic important in 2022?
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- Hypoglycemia is a potentially lethal adverse event of common diabetes medications we prescribe.
- It’s alarmingly common, though mostly unapparent in everyday clinical practice.
- It can be, should be, but isn’t optimally prevented.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
My research on hypoglycemia began in 2015, when I teamed with leading diabetologist Dr. Stewart Harris on the Canada-wide InHypo-DM study. I don’t think either of us really realized that centering our investigation on participant-reported data would ultimately challenge, even disrupt, conventional epidemiologic conceptions in the way it did—check out my symposium talk to see how. Since then, Stewart and I have conducted numerous national and international hypoglycemia research projects, including the 12-month, prospective iNPHORM study in the U.S. Always, though, I am learning from our participants who so generously trust us with their stories of lived experience. We can and must do better by them.
What are you most looking forward to at the 82nd Scientific Sessions?
This symposium (of course), the energy of in-person connections, sharing and learning new scientific information, ideating across disciplines about a future with less hypoglycemia. Oh, and jazz with a side of chargrilled oysters!
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