Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Functional Outcome after Acute Ischemic Stroke.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated to an increased incidence of cerebral and myocardial infarction which could be reduced by long-term maintenance of optimal glycemic values. The aim of the study was to evaluate in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke the chronic glycemic status and its relationship with functional outcome.


METHODS
We retrospectively identified consecutive diabetic patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke. Clinical and biochemical characteristics at admission were assessed. The outcome measures were the attainment of the recommended glycosylated hemoglobin A1 (HbA1c) level and the 3-month functional status according to the modified Rankin Scale score.


RESULTS
Among the 112 enrolled patients, 39 (34.8%) met the recommended goal of HbA1c less than 7%. Higher education level was predictive of good prestroke glycemic control (adjusted OR 1.32 per year [95% CI 1.15-1.51], P < .001). At the 3-month evaluation, 44 (39.3%) patients were classified as having a poor outcome. After categorization of HbA1c values into tertiles, a dose-response relationship with poor functional recovery was found (P = .001). The suboptimal prestroke glycemic status was an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome (adjusted OR 6.22 [95% CI 1.94-19.98] for HbA1c ≥7%, P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
The management of DM was suboptimal in nearly two thirds of diabetic subjects presenting with acute ischemic stroke. The glycemic control before stroke occurrence was an independent prognostic factor and HbA1c values above the recommended goals increased the risk of unfavorable 3-month outcome. The improvement of DM management may be an effective strategy to either decrease the burden of cerebrovascular disease or influence its clinical course.
Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy. Electronic address: alfierelattanzisimona@gmail.com.
Simona
S
Lattanzi
Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
Marco
M
Bartolini
Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
Leandro
L
Provinciali
Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
Mauro
M
Silvestrini
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
Stroke; cerebrovascular disease; diabetes mellitus; glycosylated hemoglobin