The Impact of Sepsis Severity on Blood Sugar Levels
Author Information
Author(s): Reiner M. Waeschle, Onnen Moerer, Reinhard Hilgers, Peter Herrmann, Peter Neumann, Michael Quintel
Primary Institution: University of Goettingen
Hypothesis
Is the severity of sepsis directly associated with the risk of hypoglycaemia and glycaemic variability?
Conclusion
Patients with severe sepsis and septic shock treated with intensive insulin therapy have a high risk of both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
Supporting Evidence
- The rate of critical hypoglycaemia increased from 2.1% in sepsis to 11.5% in septic shock.
- Patients with SD levels above 20 mg/dl had a significantly higher mortality rate.
- The study found a significant association between glycaemic variability and the severity of sepsis.
Takeaway
When people are very sick with sepsis, their blood sugar can drop too low or go too high, especially if they are getting insulin treatment.
Methodology
A prospective, observational study was conducted on 191 ICU patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock treated with intensive insulin therapy.
Potential Biases
The observational design may introduce bias due to the lack of randomisation.
Limitations
The study lacked randomisation and was underpowered to detect differences in morbidity or mortality.
Participant Demographics
Patients were primarily admitted from surgical departments, with a median age of 68 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0006 for hyperglycaemia >140 mg/dl; p = 0.0195 for SD levels above 20 mg/dl associated with mortality.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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