STUDY OF STRESS HYPERGLYCEMIA AS A PREDICTOR OF OUTCOME IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS

Background: In hospital hyperglycemia (Stress Hyperglycemia) is defined as any glucose value >7.8 mmol/l (140 mg/dl. Hyperglycemia is a common finding in patients with severe sepsis and is related with higher mortality rates. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SH in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Methods: In this observational study, non–diabetic critically ill patients with sepsis admitted to our facility over a 1–year period were included.

Results: Out of 62 patients (n=62) who met the inclusion criteria 31 patients (n=31) were found to have stress hyperglycemia and 31 patients (n=31) were non–stress hyperglycemic. There were no statistically significant difference in Mean duration of complaints, Hemodynamic variables, Laboratory parameters, Requirement of mechanical ventilation, Hypoglycemic episodes, Hemodialysis; Blood/urine infections between the two groups. Rate of insulin requirement was significantly higher in patients of stress hyperglycemia as compared to without hyperglycemia. SOFA score and procalcitonin levels of patients of both the groups were found to be comparable. Proportion of patients without hyperglycemia was higher as compared to those with stress hyperglycemia among discharged (64.52% vs. 61.29%) and vice–versa among expired patients (29.03% vs. 38.71%). Difference in outcome of patients of both the groups was not found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: On the basis of the study it was concluded that clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with sepsis and stress hyperglycemia do not differ substantially from those patients of sepsis who do not have stress hyperglycemia.