Frequency of Hypoglycemia in Patients Presenting with Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a chronic progressive disease associated with impaired metabolic function, including disturbances in glucose homeostasis such as hypoglycemia. Objective: To determine the frequency of hypoglycemia in patients with liver cirrhosis presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 patients with liver cirrhosis, aged 30–75 years, conducted at a tertiary care hospital over six months. Hypoglycemia was defined as fasting blood glucose <70 mg/dL. It was observed in 76 patients, yielding a frequency of 50.7%, with higher rates in older age, males, low BMI, and low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Hypoglycemia is highly prevalent among patients with liver cirrhosis and is associated with demographic and nutritional factors, highlighting the need for routine monitoring and early intervention. Venous blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose, and data were processed using SPSS with stratification for demographic and clinical variables. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between hypoglycemia and age, gender, BMI, socioeconomic status, and rural residence. These findings suggest that hypoglycemia is a common metabolic complication in cirrhosis requiring vigilant monitoring, particularly in decompensated or malnourished patients. It represents an under-recognized predictor of poor prognosis and may overlap clinically with hepatic encephalopathy, complicating diagnosis. Routine glucose monitoring and early correction strategies are recommended to reduce morbidity and improve outcomes in affected patients. Overall, the study provides locally relevant evidence on the burden of hypoglycemia in cirrhosis, supporting integration of metabolic screening into routine clinical assessment, especially in resource-limited settings with high prevalence of advanced liver disease patient management strategies.