DOC News August 1, 2006
Volume 3 Number 8 p. 10
© 2006 American Diabetes Association
ADA Scientific Sessions Deliver Latest Research
High Blood Glucose Linked to ICU Mortality
Bruce Goldfarb
Hyperglycemia is linked to an increased risk of death among intensive care
unit (ICU) patients, according to a study presented at the American Diabetes
Association's 66th Scientific Sessions, held June 9–13 in Washington,
D.C.
The study of 216,000 critically ill patients at Veterans Affairs medical
centers showed that the effect of hyperglycemia was strongest in patients
admitted with heart attack, unstable angina, and stroke. Compared with
patients with normal glucose levels, hyperglycemia increased the risk of death
up to 5 times among those with heart attack, up to 6.2 times among patients
with unstable angina, and up to 15 times among stroke patients.
A weaker effect was noted among patients with sepsis, pneumonia, or
pulmonary embolism. No link was noted between hyperglycemia and death among
patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or liver failure.
The findings indicate that "different disease states are variably
affected by hyperglycemia, with the strongest association in individuals with
cardiovascular disorders," says Mercedes Falciglia, MD, of the
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. "The effect was also
greatest in patients without diagnosed diabetes."
The research project is continuing, according to Falciglia, to determine
which patients are most at risk of morbidity and mortality and to evaluate
whether aggressive glucose control improves outcomes.
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