Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypoglycemia refers to blood glucose levels dropping below 4.0 mmol/l, which can cause dizziness and confusion in those with diabetes. In severe cases, patients may experience seizures, vision problems, and cognitive impairment. It is unsafe to drive while in this state of mind. Health professionals (HP) must possess the necessary expertise to educate patients on this matter and ensure their safety.

Aims: The current study aimed to investigate HP’s endocrinologists, internists, and family physicians’ understanding of diabetes mellitus (DM) and safe driving practices.

Methods: The survey was conducted from 2022 to January 2024, with a total of 140 respondents. HP in Latvia received a 17-question original, anonymous questionnaire. IBM SPSS 29.0 was used to analyze the results.

Results: HP’s mean age was 48.1±15.4 years. 86.4% (n=121) of the respondents were females. Of the respondents, 9.3% (n=13) were endocrinologists, and 90.7% (n=127) were internists or general practitioners. HP work experience ranged from 1 to 55 years. 15% (n=21) did not believe that DM is a risk factor for car accidents. Of those 85% (n=119) who believed that DM is a risk factor, 66.4% (n=79) educated their DM patient about safe driving. 97% (n=136) consider frequent and severe episodes of hypoglycaemias to be a contraindication for driving, but only 39% (n=53) of them had advised their DM patients not to drive. 88.6% (n=124) believed that not recognizing hypoglycaemia is a contraindication for driving, but only 38.7% (n=48) recommended that DM patients measure their blood glucose levels before driving. Information materials on hypoglycaemia and safe driving were not available at the workplace of 80% (n=112) of respondents, but 62.5% (n=70) of them discussed the topic of diabetes and safe driving. Of the 20% (n=28) who had informational materials in the workplace, 82.1% (n=23) discussed the topic of diabetes and safe driving. Only 33.6% (n=38) of respondents knew that blood glucose levels below 4.0 mmol/l are unsafe for driving.

Conclusions: Less than half of health professionals educate DM patients about safe driving despite their knowledge of the increased risks associated with diabetes mellitus. Healthcare providers must receive education about DM and safe driving to inform their patients better.