Relationship between glycated hemoglobin, Intensive Care Unit admission blood sugar and glucose control with ICU mortality in critically ill patients

Comparison of below-knee and above-knee amputations with demographic, comorbidity, and haematological parameters in patients who died

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to establish mortality predictive parameters with a higher contribution to mortality by comparing the demographic data, comorbid factors, and haematological values of patients who underwent below-knee and above-knee amputation and had died during the follow-up period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 2014 and January 2022, 122 patients in a single centre who developed foot gangrene due to chronic diabetes and underwent below-knee or above-knee amputation were evaluated retrospectively. Patients who died of natural causes during the post-operative period were included in the study. Those who were amputated below the knee were assigned to Group 1, and those who were amputated above the knee were assigned to Group 2. The patients' age, gender, side of amputation, comorbid diseases, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), death time, and haematological values at the time of first admission were compared between the two groups and statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Group 1 (n = 50) and Group 2 (n = 37) had similar distributions in terms of age, gender, side of operation, number of comorbidities, and CCI (p > 0.05). Group 2's mean ASA score and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels were statistically higher than those of Group 1 (p < 0.05). Death time, albumin value, and HbA1c levels were statistically lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in haemogram, white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, and Na values at the time of first admission (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A high ASA score, low albumin value, and high CRP value were significant predictors of high mortality. Creatinine levels and HbA1c values were quite ineffective in predicting mortality.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, retrospective comparative study.

The association between hemoglobin A1c and all-cause mortality in the ICU: A cross-section study based on MIMIC-IV 2.0

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia has been reported to be associated with the outcomes of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and long-term or short-term mortality in the ICU is still unknown. This study used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database to investigate the relationship between HbA1c and long-term or short-term mortality among ICU patients without a diabetes diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 3,154 critically ill patients without a diabetes diagnosis who had HbA1c measurements were extracted and analyzed from the MIMIC-IV. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality, while the secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 90-day mortality after ICU discharge. HbA1c levels were classified into four levels according to three HbA1c values (5.0%, 5.7%, and 6.5%). The Cox regression model was used to investigate the relationship between the highest HbA1c measurement and mortality. Finally, this correlation was validated using the XGBoost machine learning model and Cox regression after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

The study eventually included 3,154 critically ill patients without diabetes who had HbA1c measurements in the database. HbA1c levels of below 5.0% or above 6.5% were significantly associated with 1-year mortality after adjusting for covariates in Cox regression (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.02-1.84 or HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.20-2.18). In addition, HbA1c 6.5% was linked to 30-day mortality (HR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.21-2.71) and 90-day mortality (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.14-2.29). The restricted cubic spline demonstrated a U-shaped relationship between HbA1c levels and 1-year mortality. The AUCs of the training and testing datasets in the XGBoost model were 0.928 and 0.826, respectively, while the SHAP plot revealed that HbA1c was somewhat important for the 1-year mortality. Higher HbA1c levels in Cox regression were still significantly associated with 1-year mortality after PSM for other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1-year mortality, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality rates for critically ill patients after discharge from ICU are significantly associated with HbA1c. HbA1c < 5.0% and ≥6.5% would increase 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality, while levels between 5.0% and 6.5% of HbA1c did not significantly affect these outcomes.

An improved prognostic model for predicting the mortality of critically ill patients: a retrospective cohort study

A simple prognostic model is needed for ICU patients. This study aimed to construct a modified prognostic model using easy-to-use indexes for prediction of the 28-day mortality of critically ill patients. Clinical information of ICU patients included in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database were collected. After identifying independent risk factors for 28-day mortality, an improved mortality prediction model (mionl-MEWS) was constructed with multivariate logistic regression. We evaluated the predictive performance of mionl-MEWS using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), internal validation and fivefold cross validation. A nomogram was used for rapid calculation of predicted risks. A total of 51,121 patients were included with 34,081 patients in the development cohort and 17,040 patients in the validation cohort (17,040 patients). Six predictors, including Modified Early Warning Score, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lactate, international normalized ratio, osmolarity level and metastatic cancer were integrated to construct the mionl-MEWS model with AUROC of 0.717 and 0.908 for the development and validation cohorts respectively. The mionl-MEWS model showed good validation capacities with clinical utility. The developed mionl-MEWS model yielded good predictive value for prediction of 28-day mortality in critically ill patients for assisting decision-making in ICU patients.

Admission Blood Glucose Level as a Predictor of Outcome in Intensive Care Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

In the Intensive care unit (ICU), hyperglycemia is often observed; commonly associated with pre-existing diabetes or pre-diabetes or in nondiabetic patients. This study aimed to assess the role of admission blood sugar levels with outcomes in ICU patients.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients above 18 years of age were included in the study. A detailed history regarding the patient's age, sex, and any chronic illness were taken. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores were recorded. Admission blood glucose level, blood urea, total leucocyte count, and serum electrolytes were measured; and the outcome was noted.

RESULTS

The number of diabetics was significantly higher (65.5%) in the random blood sugar (RBS) ≥180 group. Hyponatremia was significantly associated with hyperglycemia. Patients with hyperglycemia had serum bicarbonate <18. A significantly greater number of patients with hyperglycemia had GCS scores of <8, and required mechanical ventilation. The duration of ICU stay and non-survivors were significantly higher in the hyperglycemia group. Random blood sugar at admission as a factor to assess outcome showed a sensitivity of 68.4 and specificity of 59.3 with a cut-off value of 197.

CONCLUSION

Admission of random blood sugar was significantly associated with poor outcomes. More stringent surveillance as well as routine blood glucose checks at the time of hospital admission should be emphasized.

Effect of Adding Insulin Glargine on Glycemic Control in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the effects of adding a longer-acting insulin glargine to existing glucose control on reducing blood-glucose fluctuations in an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

A total of 110 patients randomly received adjuvant insulin glargine 15 IU/day (glargine) or placebo (control), in addition to daily infusion of insulin to maintain glucose levels at a target of 140-180 mg/dL. End points were mean and variance of blood glucose and frequency of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ICU stay, and mortality. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Average daily glucose level was significantly less in the glargine group than controls (P<0.0001), while there was no difference in daily variance in blood glucose between the two groups. The duration of glucose concentrations being within the target range was identical between the glargine and control groups (16.6±4.9 vs 16.4±4.6 hours/day, P=0.844) during the 7 days of admission. The frequency of hypoglycemia was greater in the glargine group and total duration of hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) much longer among controls (P<0.001). Similar mortality rates were observed in both groups, while ICU length of stay was 2 days shorter in the glargine group.

CONCLUSION

Addition of insulin glargine to routine protocols more effectively reduces glucose levels and decreases incidence of hyperglycemic episodes and regular insulin usage. This adjustment may be associated with decreases in duration of ICU stay or increases in hypoglycemic events.

Preoperative Glycated Haemoglobin Level and Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Scheduled for Liver Transplant

BACKGROUND

There is high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients of end stage liver disease and it has been implicated for complications in post-transplant patients. Glycated hemoglobin is now targeted as a modifiable preoperative risk factors for postoperative complications. Data describing the course and severity of postoperative liver transplant complication and their relation with pre-operative glycated hemoglobin level is sparse. In this study, we looked for co-relation between the preoperative HbA1c level and post-operative mortality and morbidity in patients scheduled for liver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective data in 400 adult patients operated for liver transplant were retrieved. After exclusion, data were analyzed for 224 patients. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of glycated hemoglobin levels (Group 1 (HbA1C ≥6.5) and Group 2 (HbA1C <6.5)).

RESULTS

Glycated hemoglobin levels were not associated with postoperative death during stay in intensive care unit, incidence of postoperative cardiovascular, renal, and central nervous complications. No difference was seen between 2 groups for need for renal replacement therapy, incidence of infections, rejection, need for re-exploration surgery and duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay. Glycated hemoglobin cannot predict 30 day survival (Area under curve {AUC} = 0.629, P value 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative glycated hemoglobin level is not associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients scheduled for liver transplant.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CTRI/2018/04/012966.

The value of glycated hemoglobin as predictor of organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis

Background

In patients with sepsis, an inflammatory response can lead to destruction of the glycocalyx. These alterations cause the progression of organ dysfunction. Destruction of the glycocalyx can also occur in chronic hyperglycemia. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a reliable marker of premorbid hyperglycemia. We investigated the association between HbA1c level at admission and the degree of organ dysfunction progression 72 hours after admission and ICU mortality.

Methods and findings

This study was a retrospective observational study. Logistic regression and correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the HbA1c level and the degree of organ dysfunction progression 72 hours after ICU admission. We applied survival analysis to examine the association between HbA1c level and ICU mortality. A total of 90 patients were included in this study. The association between HbA1c level and degree of organ dysfunction progression was significant (r = 0.320; P = 0.002). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that high HbA1c level (≥6.5%) (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.033–8.567; P = 0.043) were significant, independent predictors of severe organ dysfunction progression. Patients with an HbA1c level ≥6.5% exhibited significantly greater liver and kidney dysfunction progression 72 hours after ICU admission compared with those with an HbA1c level <6.5%. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the survival period was significantly shorter in patients with an HbA1c level ≥6.5% than in those with an HbA1c level <6.5% (P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that HbA1c level ≥6.5% (HR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.802–6.760; P <0.001) were significant, independent predictors of ICU mortality.

Conclusions

In patients with sepsis, the HbA1c level at ICU admission is associated with progression of organ dysfunction 72 hours later and with ICU mortality. It may be important to assess HbA1c level at ICU admission because it may be a predictor of ICU outcome. For patients with a high HbA1c level (≥6.5%), greater attention should be paid to the possibility of organ dysfunction progression.

Effect of Cucurbita Maxima on Control of Blood Glucose in Diabetic Critically Ill Patients

Purpose: Cucurbita maxima Duchense (C. maxima) has been widely used in China and Mexico as a hypoglycemic plant for controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients. Furthermore, in northwest of Iran, this plant is used traditionally for controlling of diabetes. We examined the effect of C. maxima pulp besides insulin on control of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients admitted to Intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: Twenty critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU were enrolled in this study. 5g lyophilized powder of C. maxima was administrated every 12 hours for 3 days. Moreover, blood glucose level and insulin dose were measured every 1-4 hours during 3 days before administration and 3days at the time of C. maxima administration.

Results: The average of glucose level in 3 days before C. maxima administration was 214.9 ± 55.7 mg/dl, while in 3 days during C. maxima administration it was decreased to 178.4 ± 36.1 mg/dl (P<0.001). Additionally, the average insulin dose during 3 days before intervention was 48.05 ± 36.5 IU and during the 3 days of C. maxima administration was decreased to 39.5 ± 27.8 IU (P=0.06).

Conclusion: It seems that C. maxima may decrease high blood glucose level fast and effective in diabetic critically ill patients.

Predicting Mortality in Diabetic ICU Patients Using Machine Learning and Severity Indices

Diabetes constitutes a significant health problem that leads to many long term health issues including renal, cardiovascular, and neuropathic complications. Many of these problems can result in increased health care costs, as well risk of ICU stay and mortality. To date, no published study has used predictive modeling to examine the relative influence of diabetes, diabetic health maintenance, and comorbidities on outcomes in ICU patients. Using the MIMIC-III database, machine learning and binomial logistic regression modeling were applied to predict risk of mortality. The final models achieved good fit with AUC values of 0.787 and 0.785 respectively. Additionally, this study demonstrated that robust classification can be done as a combination of five variables (HbA1c, mean glucose during stay, diagnoses upon admission, age, and type of admission) to predict risk as compared with other machine learning models that require nearly 35 variables for similar risk assessment and prediction.

Validity of bedside blood glucose measurement in critically ill patients with intensive insulin therapy

Background and Aims:

There have been variable results on the practice of tight glycemic control, and studies have demonstrated that point-of-care (POC) glucometers have variable accuracy. Glucometers must be accurate, and many variables can affect blood glucose levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between blood glucose concentrations obtained from POC glucometers and laboratory results in critically ill patients with intensive insulin therapy.

Materials and Methods:

This was a descriptive study which enrolled 300 critically ill patients. Four samples of arterial blood were collected and analyzed at the bedside with the POC glucometer and also in the central laboratory to obtain the blood glucose level. To define the effect of various factors on this relation, we noted the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), PaO₂, body temperature, bilirubin, history of drug usage, and sepsis.

Results:

There were not any significant differences between blood sugar levels using laboratory and glucometer methods of measurements. There was a good and significant correlation between glucose levels between two methods (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Among evaluated factors (body temperature, bilirubin level, blood pressure, Hb level, PaO₂, sepsis, and drugs) which added one by one in model, just drugs decreased the correlation more than others (r = 0.78).

Conclusions:

The results of POC glucometer differ from laboratory glucose concentrations, especially in critically ill patients with unstable hemodynamic status while receiving several drugs. This may raise the concern about using POC devices for tight glycemic control in critically ill patients. These results should be interpreted with caution because of the large variation of accuracy among different glucometer devices.