Systematic review of oral carbohydrate treatment for hypoglycemia in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

backgroundThe common recommendation for hypoglycemia treatment, oral ingestion of 15 g of simple carbohydrates and glucose recheck in 15 min, was predominantly based on expert opinion, and two small-sized studies of intravenous insulin-induced hypoglycemia in people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). The evidence for "15 grams/15 minutes" treatment for people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) needs to be explored. The objective of this systematic review is to determine which oral carbohydrate treatments were studied in adults living with T2D for timely resolution of hypoglycemia events.

methodsMedline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 1990 to 24 March 2025, for full-text studies of oral treatment for hypoglycemia in T2D. Two authors screened the results and extracted data. Inclusion criteria included age > = 18 years with T2D, treated with a defined quantity of simple carbohydrates, and reported hypoglycemia event resolution as a defined time of first glucose recheck after treatment completion. Exclusion criteria included non-oral route of hypoglycemia treatment. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for risk of bias assessment.

resultsThree studies were included, which reported on 152 insulin-treated adults who experienced 366 hypoglycemia events. None of these three studies presented if the participants were or were not on sulfonylurea concurrently, nor did they present a breakdown of the types of insulin(s) (long-acting versus rapid-acting) for the participants. All studies had different oral hypoglycemia treatments and various glucose recheck times. Hence, data synthesis was not possible. There was near 100% hypoglycemia resolution with 15 g carbohydrates at 30-minute recheck in a study of mild hypoglycemia in hospitalized people living with type 2 diabetes. An at-home study showed 95% hypoglycemia resolution with 30 g carbohydrates at 10-minute recheck, although rebound hyperglycemia became a concern. The studies had low risk of bias.

conclusionThree studies provided a very limited evidence base for hypoglycemia treatment in T2D. Future studies are encouraged to identify and analyze people living with T2D who are treated with sulfonylurea, with or without insulin therapy, to reflect hypoglycemia treatment over the breadth of T2D pharmacotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

trial registrationProspero registration number CRD420251032322. No amendments. Study protocol can be obtained by sending a written request to the corresponding author.