AUTHOR=Mesa Díaz Ángel Manuel , Belmonte Lomas Samuel , Rodríguez de Vera Gómez Pablo , Llanes González María Victoria , Mateo Rodríguez Carmen , Hidalgo Sotelo Lucía , Martínez Brocca María Asunción 

TITLE=Fear of hypoglycemia is linked to poorer glycemic control and reduced quality of life in adults with type 1 diabetes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1563410

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2025.1563410

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=AimAnalyze the influence of Fear of Hypoglycemia (FoH) on quality of life and glycemic control in adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) who use Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM)MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 173 adults with T1D. FoH was assessed using the FH15 questionnaire, and quality of life was evaluated using the Spanish Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire (EsDQOL). Glycemic control was analyzed through FGM-derived metrics (Ambulatory Glucose Profile) and HbA1c. Multivariate multiple linear regression models were developed to analyze the adjusted impact of FoH on quality of life and time in hyperglycemia.ResultsFoH was present in 42% of participants (FH15 ≥28). Patients with FoH exhibited significantly higher EsDQOL scores, reflecting poorer quality of life, and higher HbA1c levels (7.41% vs. 7.08%, p=0.012). FGM metrics revealed higher mean glucose, glucose management indicator (GMI) (p=0.008), and time in hyperglycemia >250 mg/dL (p=0.035) in the FoH group, with lower time in range 70–180 mg/dl (p=0.035). Hypoglycemia unawareness was more frequent in the FoH group (25.4% vs. 6.5%, p=0.011). The FH15 score functioned as an independent predictor of quality of life (β = 1.98 [1.58; 2.37]) and time in hyperglycemia (β = 0.39 [0.17; 0.61]) in the multiple linear regression models.ConclusionFoH is significantly associated with poor quality of life and worsened glycemic control in T1D patients, underscoring the need for systematic assessment and individualized interventions. FGM metrics, particularly time in hyperglycemia, may serve as valuable predictors of FoH. Comprehensive management strategies addressing both metabolic and psychological factors are essential for improving patient outcomes.