Abstract
We surveyed the rate of hypoglycemic attacks in diabetic patients while driving. A questionnaire survey was distributed to 402 diabetic drivers. With respect to the frequency of having experienced a hypoglycemic attack while driving, the order of related characteristics was Type 1 disease, followed by the use of insulin treatment or sulfonylureas. Regarding the rate of having experienced a traffic accident due to hypoglycemia, the order of related characteristics was Type 1 disease, followed by the use of insulin treatment. Meanwhile, the percentage of patients taking preventive measures against hypoglycemia, such as having glucose with them while driving, was 52 %. In addition, the percentage of patients given instructions regarding coping with hypoglycemia while driving by their primary care physician was only 16 %. Furthermore, among those receiving insulin treatment, the percentage of patients who measured their blood glucose before driving was 22 %. These results show that there is room for doctors to actively intervene with regard to taking preventative measures against hypoglycemia while driving.
