The classification of hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia and its implication on outcome: results from a prospective observational study in Internal Medicine

Investigation of the Effects of Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio and Preoperative Computed Tomographic Angiography on the Occurrence of Acute Kidney Injury in Diabetic Patients following Surgical Thromboembolectomy

Acute lower extremity ischemia (ALI) is a cardiovascular emergency resulting from embolic and thrombotic causes. Although endovascular techniques have advanced, surgical thromboembolectomy is still the gold standard. Emergency thromboembolectomy surgery involves an ischemia-reperfusion injury, which also poses a risk for acute renal injury (AKI). The stress hyperglycemia rate (SHR) has recently emerged as an important prognostic value in emergency cardiovascular events. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the impact of preoperative contrast-enhanced tomographic angiography (CTA) and the SHR value on postoperative AKI in emergency thromboembolectomy procedures in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM). In this retrospective analysis, patients with DM who received emergency surgical thromboembolectomy after being hospitalized at our hospital with ALI between 20 October 2015, and 10 September 2022, were included. Patients were classified into two groups: Group 1 (N = 159), who did not develop AKI, and Group 2 (N = 45), who did. The 45 patients in Group 2 and the 159 patients in Group 1 had median ages of 59 (39-90) and 66 (37-93), respectively (p = 0.008). The percentage of patients in Group 2 with Rutherford class IIB and admission times longer than 6 h was higher (p = 0.003, p = 0.027, respectively). To determine the variables affecting AKI after surgical embolectomy procedures, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. In multivariate analysis Model 1, age > 65 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.425, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.230-1.980, p < 0.001), preoperative high creatinine (OR: 4.194, 95% CI: 2.890-6.156, p = 0.003), and Rutherford class (OR: 0.874, 95% CI: 0.692-0.990, p = 0.036) were determined as independent predictors for AKI. In Model 2, age > 65 years (OR: 1.224 CI: 1.090-1.679, p = 0.014), preoperative high creatinine (OR: 3.975, 95% CI: 2.660-5.486, p = 0.007), and SHR (OR: 2.142, CI: 1.134-3.968, p = 0.003), were determined as independent predictors for amputation. In conclusion, when an emergency thromboembolectomy operation is planned in insulin-dependent DM patients, renal risky groups can be identified, and renal protective measures can be taken. In addition, to reduce the renal risk, according to the suitability of the clinical conditions of the patients, the decision to perform a CTA with contrast can be taken by looking at the SHR value.

Prognostic Value of Stress Hyperglycemia in Patients Admitted to Medical/Geriatric Departments for Acute Medical Illness

INTRODUCTION

Hyperglycemia is common in patients admitted to Italian medical/geriatric units and is associated with a poorer outcome. We tested the significance of diabetes and stress-induced hyperglycemia in clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred seventy-eight consecutive patients with hyperglycemia at entry (≥ 126 mg/dl) (206 without known diabetes) were included, with a wide range of underlying diseases requiring hospital admission and independent of the presence of diabetes. Relative hyperglycemia was calculated as admission glucose divided by average glucose, estimated based of glycosylated hemoglobin. Values ≥ 1.20 were considered indicative of stress hyperglycemia (SHR). The association of SHR with outcome variables (all-cause complications, infections, non-infectious events, deaths) was tested by logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex, BMI, age-adjusted comorbidities (Charlson index) and known diabetes.

RESULTS

During hospital stay, one or more events were registered in 96 patients (25.4%); 44 patients died in hospital, and fatality rate was borderline higher in patients without diabetes (14.6% vs. 8.1% in diabetes; P = 0.052) and nearly three times higher in patients with stress hyperglycemia (15.0%) vs. those with SHR < 1.2 (P = 0.005). Stress hyperglycemia-more common in the absence of diabetes (71% vs. 58%)-and age were the only independent prognostic factors for death. At multivariable analysis, the risks of death (OR 4.31, 95% CI 1.25-14.81), of all complications (OR 5.90, 95% CI 2.22-15.71) and of newly developed systemic infections (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.61-19.92) were associated with stress hyperglycemia in subjects without diabetes, as was the risk in non-insulin-treated cases (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.16-13.92; OR 5.47, 95% CI 2.21-13.52; OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.70-15.62, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The study confirms the prognostic value of stress-related hyperglycemia in patients requiring hospital admission to a geriatric/medical unit for a variety of acute medical conditions, contributing to adverse outcomes not limited to events commonly associated with hyperglycemia (e.g., infections).

Hospital related hyperglycemia as a predictor of mortality in non-diabetes patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hyperglycemia is a condition often found in hospitalized patients due to stress injury, parenteral nutrition or medications administered during hospitalization. According to previous studies, hyperglycemia could be an independent predictor of mortality. The objective of the study is to assess the risk of mortality in non-diabetic patients with hyperglycemia during hospitalization.

METHODS

In this systematic review, we conducted literature reviews on several databases. Twelve studies were retrieved and critically reviewed using NOS.

RESULTS

A majority of the studies reported that hospital related hyperglycemia increased the mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital related hyperglycemia is an independent predictor factor for both in-hospital and long-term mortality.

In-Hospital Mortality and Glycemic Control in Patients with Hospital Hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND

Stress-induced hyperglycemia is a phenomenon that occurs typically in patients hospitalized for acute disease and resolves spontaneously after regression of the acute illness. However, it can also occur in diabetes patients, a fact that is sometimes overlooked. It is thus important to make a proper diabetes diagnosis if hospitalized patients with episodes of hyperglycemia with and without diabetes are studied.

AIMS

To estimate the extent of the association between stress-induced hyperglycemia and in-hospital mortality in patients with hospital hyperglycemia (HH), and to explore potential differences between patients diagnosed with diabetes (HH-DBT) and those with stress-induced hyperglycemia (SH), but not diagnosed with diabetes.

METHODS

A cohort of adults with hospital hyperglycemia admitted to a tertiary, university hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In the study, 2,955 patients were included and classified for analysis as 1,579 SH and 1,376 HH-DBT. Significant differences were observed in glycemic goal (35.53% SH versus 25.80% HH-DBT, p < 0.01), insulin use rate (26.66% SH versus 46.58% HH-DBT, p < 0.01), and severe hypoglycemia rate (1.32% SH versus 1.74% HH-DBT, p < 0.01). There were no differences in hypoglycemia rate (8.23% SH versus 10.53% HH-DBT) and hospital mortality. There was no increase in risk of mortality in the SH group adjusted for age, non-scheduled hospitalization, major surgical intervention, critical care, hypoglycemia, oncological disease, cardiovascular comorbidity, and prolonged hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed better glycemic control in patients with SH than in those with HH-DBT, and there was no difference in hospital mortality.

Nurse-managed basal-bolus versus sliding-scale insulin regimen in subjects with hyperglycemia at admission for orthopedic surgery: a propensity score approach

AIMS

A sliding-scale (SS) regimen is discouraged to correct hyperglycemia in hospital patients, but there is resistance to adoption of basal-bolus (BB) treatment in surgical units. We tested the feasibility and the effects of a nurse-based BB regimen in orthopedic surgery.

METHODS

Following an intense training to implement a protocol amenable by nurses, a group of patients admitted with hyperglycemia in an orthopedic institute were prospectively followed according to a basal-bolus insulin regimen (BB, n = 80). They were compared with a hyperglycemic group eventually treated by sliding-scale insulin on demand (SS, n = 122). Diabetes was present in 196 cases. Metabolic control was assessed during the first 3 days of surgery; outcome data were tested by logistic regression, after adjusting for propensity score.

RESULT

Average blood glucose and glucose variability were lower in BB versus SS (P < 0.001), in the presence of similar 3-day insulin doses. Complications were recorded in 68 cases (16.2% vs. 45.1% in BB and SS, respectively). BB regimen was associated with propensity-adjusted reduction in all adverse events [odds ratio (OR) 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.76] and of systemic infections (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.07-0.50) and with shorter hospital stay (8.8 ± SD 5.2 days vs. 12.5 ± 7.4; P < 0.01). The superiority of BB regimen was confirmed in the pair-matched analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The study proves the feasibility and the superiority of nurse-based BB versus SS treatment in metabolic control and on the risk of adverse events in orthopedic surgery patients with hyperglycemia.

Stress Hyperglycemia and Complications Following Traumatic Injuries in Individuals With/Without Diabetes: The Case of Orthopedic Surgery

PURPOSE

Hyperglycemia in trauma patients may stem from metabolic response to stress, both in the presence and the absence of underlying diabetes. We aimed to test the association of stress hyperglycemia with risks of adverse events subjects undergoing orthopedic surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective observational study, we enrolled 202 consecutive patients with hyperglycemia at hospital admission for trauma injuries requiring orthopedic surgery. Based on history, diabetes was present in 183, and 13 more were defined as unknown diabetes on the basis of HbA1c ≥48mmol/mol. Stress hyperglycemia was defined in subjects with/without diabetes by a stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) >1.14, calculated as admission glucose/average glucose, estimated from glycosylated hemoglobin. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk of post-surgery adverse events associated with different states of hyperglycemia, after correction for demographic and clinical confounders.

RESULTS

Stress hyperglycemia was diagnosed, either as superimposed to diabetes (54/196 cases, 27.6%) as well as in the 6 cases without diabetes. At least one complication was recorded in 68 cases (33.7%), the most common being systemic infection (22.8% of cases). In the total cohort, stress hyperglycemia, irrespective of the presence of diabetes, increased the risk of adverse events (any events, odds ratio [OR], 4.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11-9.30), cardiovascular events (OR, 7.09; 95% CI, 2.47-19.91), systemic infections (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.97-9.03) and other adverse events (OR, 6.30; 95% CI, 1.41-28.03), after adjustment for confounders; hospital stay was much longer. The same was true when the analysis was limited to the diabetes cohort or by comparing pure stress hyperglycemia vs diabetes without stress hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the importance of stress hyperglycemia for adverse events in the setting of orthopedic surgery following trauma injuries. This condition requires stricter management, considering the much longer length of hospital stay and higher costs.

Predictors of hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemia is common among hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Identify pre-admission risk factors associated with in-hospital hypoglycemia. Historical prospectively collected data of adult DM patients hospitalized to medical wards between 2011 and 2013. Hypoglycemia and serious hypoglycemia were defined as at least one blood glucose measurement ≤ 70 and < 54 mg/dl, respectively, during hospitalization. The primary outcome was in-hospital hypoglycemia. The cohort included 5301 patients (mean age 73 ± 13 years, 51% male), including 792 patients (15%) with hypoglycemia, among them 392 patients (7%) with serious hypoglycemia. Patients with hypoglycemia or serious hypoglycemia during hospitalization were older, compared to patients without hypoglycemia and more likely to have chronic renal failure and cerebrovascular disease. Malignancy and female gender were risk factors for hypoglycemia, but not for serious hypoglycemia, while congestive heart failure was associated with increased risk only for serious hypoglycemia. Diabetes mellitus' duration over 10 years was associated with an almost threefold increased risk for hypoglycemia, compared to DM duration less than a year. Insulin treatment and glycated hemoglobin > 9% were also more common in patients with hypoglycemia. Insulin treatment was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk for hypoglycemia among all glycated hemoglobin categories. Our results identified several risk factors for in-hospital hypoglycemia in patients with DM. These findings may lead to appropriate monitoring and early intervention to prevent hypoglycemia and to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with in-hospital hypoglycemia.

Inpatient glycemic management in internal medicine: an observational multicenter study in Nanjing, China

AIMS

To evaluate the prevalence of hyperglycemia among inpatients in internal medicine, and specifically, to assess the glycemic management of inpatients in non-endocrinology departments in three large urban hospitals in China.

METHODS

A multicenter observational study was conducted using electronic health records, and a survey of 1939 patients who were admitted to internal medicine units and followed until discharge. Those with previously diagnosed diabetes, newly diagnosed diabetes, or impaired fasting glucose were included. Aspects of glycemic management examined were (a) hyperglycemia, (b) endocrinology consultation for hyperglycemia and (c) hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperglycemia in internal medicine was 45.7% (886 out of 1939). A total of 741 (83.6%) patients were treated by non-endocrinology departments; of those, 230 (31.1%) were in poor glycemic control and needed an endocrinology consultation. Yet only 57 (24.8%) received one. In 4 cases, the physician did not follow the consultants' advice. Among the remaining 53 consulted patients, 35 (66.1%) were still in poor glycemic control, yet only about half received a second consultation. Finally, among patients treated in non-endocrinology departments, 58 (7.8%) had hypoglycemia; less than half retested their blood glucose after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with hyperglycemia were in non-endocrinology departments. Their glycemic management was poor; the endocrinology consultation rate was low and the result was suboptimal. Also, the management of hypoglycemia was not ideal. Therefore, improving glycemic management is urgently needed in Chinese hospitals.

The association of admission hyperglycaemia and adverse clinical outcome in medical emergencies: the multinational, prospective, observational TRIAGE study

AIMS

The clinical relevance of hyperglycaemia in an emergency department population remains incompletely understood. We investigated the association between admission blood glucose levels and adverse clinical outcomes in a large emergency department cohort.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 7132 adult medical patients seeking emergency department care in three tertiary care hospitals in Switzerland, France and the USA. We used adjusted multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between admission blood glucose levels and 30-day mortality, as well as adverse clinical course stratified by pre-existing diabetes and principal medical diagnoses.

RESULTS

In 6044 people without diabetes (84.7%), severe hyperglycaemia, defined as a glucose level of > 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl), was associated with a doubling in the risk of 30-day mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.1 to 3.3; P = 0.018] and a three-fold increase in the risk of intensive care unit admission (adjusted OR 3.0; 95% CI, 1.9 to 4.9; P < 0.001). These associations were similar among different diagnoses. In the population with diabetes (n = 1088), no association with 30-day mortality was found (adjusted OR 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.8; P for interaction = 0.001), whereas the association with intensive care unit admission was weaker (adjusted OR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5 to 4.1; P for interaction = 0.011). Overall 30-day mortality was higher in those with diabetes than in those without (6.1 vs. 4.4%, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large medical emergency department patient cohort, admission hyperglycaemia was strongly associated with adverse clinical course in people without diabetes. (Clinical Trial Registry No: NCT01768494).

Glycemia management in a Slovenian general hospital

BACKGROUND

In-hospital hyperglycemia is common and associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality and extensive length of stay but there are only few studies on real-life hyperglycemia and diabetes management.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, non-interventional, prospective study we analyzed medical charts on glycemia status at our internal medicine department for 5 consecutive months. Patients were grouped by departments and divided into subgroups by diabetes type, etiology and duration. Physicians answered a questionnaire regarding knowledge on national guidelines and personal opinions on the subject.

RESULTS

A total of 7080 capillary blood glucose measurements from 308 patients were included in the study. Patients were of Caucasian origin with a mean age 72.7 ± 10.7 years and 50.3% were male. Of the measurements 63.3% were within glycemia goals, 2.7% in the range of hypoglycemia and 0.3% of hyperglycemic syndromes. The mean value was 8.88 ± 3.5 mmol/l (159.84 ± 63 mg/dl). There were no differences in mean glucose measurements but significant differences in reaching glycemia target goals and frequency of acute complications between intensive care, general ward and palliative care patients. Subgroup analysis confirmed the association between glycemia management and newly discovered diabetes, type 1 diabetes, steroid use and disrupted food intake (p < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results on in-hospital glycemia management seem comparable to previously published data. Patients with newly discovered diabetes, type 1 diabetes, treated with steroids and those eating improperly should be closely monitored. Additional education on guidelines and steroid-induced hyperglycemia accompanied by updated medical charts represent possible improvements. Quality standards for in-hospital glycemia management should be established.