Accidents in Patients with Insulin-Treated Diabetes: Increased Risk of Low-Impact Falls but Not Motor Vehicle Crashes–A Prospective Register-Based Study

Abstract

This study confirms that patients taking insulin are at increased risk of accidents. Among the different types of injury, only low-impact falls were significantly increased. This is most likely related to an increased tendency for insulin-treated patients to fall during a hypoglycemic episode. However, patients with diabetes may also be at higher risk of sustaining a fracture after a fall. The number of car crashes involving drivers with insulin-dependent diabetes is small, and the rate is not significantly greater than that of the background population. Further study of the causes and consequences of falls in diabetic patients is warranted.