Elderly patients with diabetes treated with insulin were more likely than younger patients to visit the emergency department (ED) and be hospitalized for insulin-related hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and insulin-related errors (IHEs).

Insulin remains one of the most challenging aspects of managing diabetes because of complexities in dosing and administration of the medication, as well as the need to monitor blood glucose. The risk of insulin-related hypoglycemia is an important consideration when choosing among treatment options.