Glucose variability is associated with intensive care unit mortality.
OBJECTIVE
Mounting evidence suggests a role for glucose variability in predicting intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. We investigated the association between glucose variability and intensive care unit and in-hospital deaths across several ranges of mean glucose.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
An 18-bed medical/surgical ICU in a teaching hospital.


METHODS
All patients admitted to the ICU from January 2004 through December 2007.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Two measures of variability, mean absolute glucose change per hour and sd, were calculated as measures of glucose variability from 5728 patients and were related to ICU and in-hospital death using logistic regression analysis. Mortality rates and adjusted odds ratios for ICU death per mean absolute glucose change per hour quartile across quartiles of mean glucose were calculated. Patients were treated with a computerized insulin algorithm (target glucose 72-126 mg/dL). Mean age was 65 +/- 13 yrs, 34% were female, and 6.3% of patients died in the ICU. The odds ratios for ICU death were higher for quartiles of mean absolute glucose change per hour compared with quartiles of mean glucose or sd. The highest odds ratio for ICU death was found in patients with the highest mean absolute glucose change per hour in the upper glucose quartile: odds ratio 12.4 (95% confidence interval, 3.2-47.9; p < .001). Mortality rates were lowest in the lowest mean absolute glucose change per hour quartiles.


CONCLUSIONS
High glucose variability is firmly associated with ICU and in-hospital death. High glucose variability combined with high mean glucose values is associated with highest ICU mortality. In patients treated with strict glycemic control, low glucose variability seemed protective, even when mean glucose levels remained elevated.
Hermanides
Jeroen
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.hermanides@amc.uva.nl
Vriesendorp
Titia M
TM
Bosman
Robert J
RJ
Zandstra
Durk F
DF
Hoekstra
Joost B
JB
Devries
J Hans
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001786:Blood Glucose