Andrew Gerald Hua Kiong Tan1, 2,
Ernieda Md Hatah1,
Adyani Md Redzuan1 
For correspondence:- Adyani Redzuan Email: adyani@ukm.edu.my
Received: 22 August 2025 Accepted: 11 January 2026 Published: 31 January 2026
Citation: Kiong Tan AG, Hatah EM, Redzuan AM. A scoping review of the prevalence, risk factors, impact, and prediction tools of inpatient hypoglycaemia in selected Asian regions. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(1):125-140 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v25i1.15
© 2026 The authors.
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Purpose: This scoping review mapped evidence on the prevalence, risk factors, clinical impacts, and prediction models of inpatient hypoglycaemia in Eastern, Southern, and Southeastern Asia. Methods: The indexing engines searched include MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, covering publications from the inception of each database. Ninety-four studies were included and synthesized in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Outputs from the regions of interest were uneven, with Eastern Asia contributing the most (n = 66). Prevalence varied widely (up to 57.9 %), particularly among insulin-treated and critically ill patients. Risk factors identified included age, insulin use, and diabetes duration, alongside novel factors such as surgery grade, rural residence, functional status, and specific biomarkers (e.g., low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, C-peptide), and certain medications. Hypoglycaemia was linked to higher mortality, prolonged hospitalization, cognitive decline, and other major complications. Five clinical prediction models, all from China, were identified; however, none covered type 1 diabetes or underwent external validation. Inpatient hypoglycaemia is linked to adverse outcomes yet remains under-researched in Southern and Southeastern Asia. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for region-specific data, validated predictive tools, and targeted preventive measures to mitigate its clinical impact.
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