Stratifying Hypoglycaemic Event Risk in Insulin-treated Diabetes

This report describes the main findings of a research programme commissioned by the Department for Transport as part of its Fitness to Drive programme.

The potential of individuals with diabetes to develop hypoglycaemia during insulin treatment presents a possible risk to them and others in certain safety-critical tasks, such as driving.

Restrictions for insulin-treated drivers may limit this risk, but the evidence upon which such restrictions are based is limited.

The report concludes that initiating insulin treatment in individuals with Type 2 diabetes is not necessarily associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia in the early stages, compared with that of individuals treated with sulphonylureas.