Hypoglycemia may reach forensic relevance concerning the psychophysical ability of running a car and with respect to a possible imputability. Our retrospective study included anamnesis and clinical symptoms observed in drivers with impaired performance to point out correlations between biochemical parameters and the actual course of the disease and its sequelae on roadworthiness. Clinical-biochemical estimations were performed on glucose, lactic acid and ethanol including a toxicological screening. It is proposed to utilise the estimation of glucose and lactic acid (the so-called combined value) in blood samples taken on behalf of the police as an important hint to the actual state of glucose metabolism. The anamnesis and the symptomatology may complete the biochemical analyses. (Author/publisher)
Abstract