Early postoperative hyperglycaemia is not a risk factor for infectious complications and prolonged in-hospital stay in patients undergoing oesophagectomy: a retrospective analysis of a prospective trial

INTRODUCTION: Treating hyperglycaemia in hospitalized patients has proven to be beneficial, particularly in those with obstructive vascular disease. In a cohort of patients undergoing resection for oesophageal carcinoma (a group of patients with severe surgical stress but a low prevalence of vascular disease), we investigated whether early postoperative hyperglycaemia is associated with increased incidence of infectious complications and prolonged in-hospital stay. METHODS: Postoperative glucose values up to 48 hours after surgery were retrieved for 151 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists class I or II who had been previously included in a randomized trial conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. Multivariate regression analysis was used to define the independent contribution of possible risk factors selected by univariate analysis. RESULTS: In univariate regression analysis, postoperative glucose levels were associated with increased length of in-hospital stay (P < 0.001) but not with infectious complications (P = 0.21). However, postoperative glucose concentration was not found to be an independent risk factor for prolonged in-hospital stay in multivariate analysis (P = 0.20). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that postoperative hyperglycaemia is more likely to be a risk marker than a risk factor in patients undergoing highly invasive surgery for oesophageal cancer. We hypothesize that patients with a low prevalence of vascular disease may benefit less from intensive insulin therapy

Incidence and determinants of hypophosphatemia in diabetic ketoacidosis:an observational study

Introduction Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) characterized by hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis. Hypophosphatemia in DKA often occurs during hospital admittance for DKA. Literature on the magnitude, determinants and consequences of hypophosphatemia in DKA is scarce. Primary aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and consequences of hypophosphatemia during hospitalisation for DKA. Research design and methods Cohort study among individuals with T1DM who were admitted for DKA between 2005 and 2020 in an academic and a non-academic hospital. Multivariate regression models were performed to investigate determinants of the lowest phosphate during the treatment of DKA. Results A total of 127 episodes of DKA among 80 individuals were identified. Age at DKA presentation was 28 (22-46) years, 45% of the cases was female, diabetes duration was 13.2 (8.9-25.5) years with glycosylated hemoglobin levels of 91.9 +/- 26.2 mmol/mol. In 9% of all cases, DKA was the first presentation of T1DM. Lowest phosphate levelss reported during the treatment phase were 0.54 (0.32-0.83) mmol/L and hypophosphatemia was present in 74% (62/84). The time to lowest phosphate was 16 (8-23) hours. In multivariate analysis, baseline bicarbonate and hemoglobin at admission were significantly associated with the lowest phosphate level reported. No adverse effects of hypophosphatemia on hospital stay duration, morbidity or mortality were found, even if left untreated. Conclusions Hypophosphatemia during DKA is common and increases with severe acidosis. However, in this study it was not related to adverse outcomes. Although limitations of this retrospective study should be taken into account, the routine and repeated measurement of phosphate levels in DKA could be reconsidered, provided that possible symptoms related to hypophosphatemia are monitored

Diagnosis of hepatocellular adenoma in men before onset of diabetes in HNF1A-MODY:Watch out for winkers

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenetic, autosomal dominantly inherited form of diabetes. HNF1A-MODY is associated with HNF1A-inactivated hepatocellular adenoma (H-HCA) formation. Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are benign liver tumours and related complications are rare but serious: hepatic haemorrhage and malignant transformation. Guidelines recommend resection of all HCA in men and do not take any co-occurring metabolic disorders into account. We report a family with HCA preceding diabetes mellitus. Male index patient presented with numerous, irresectable HCA. After initial diagnostic and aetiologic uncertainty HNF1A germline mutation c.815G>A (p.Arg272His) was confirmed 8 years later. No HCA-related complications occurred. His diabetic mother was diagnosed with HCA after severe hepatic haemorrhage years before. HNF1A-MODY should be considered in (non-)diabetic (male) patients with H-HCA. We advocate liver biopsy and, if necessary, genetic analysis to precede any intervention for HCA in males and screening for HCA in HNF1A-MODY patients

Different routes of insulin administration do not influence serum free thiols in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aims: Intraperitoneal (IP) insulin administration is a last-resort treatment option for selected patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). As the IP route of insulin administration mimics the physiology more closely than the subcutaneous (SC) route, we hypothesized that IP insulin would result in less oxidative stress (expressed as systemic level of free sulphydryl (R-SH) content) compared to SC insulin in subjects with T1DM.Materials and methods: Prospective, observational case-control study. Serum thiol measurements were performed at baseline and at 26 weeks in age- and gender-matched patients with T1DM. Serum-free thiols, compounds with a R-SH group that are readily oxidized by reactive oxygen species, are considered to be a marker of systemic redox status.Results: A total of 176 patients, 39 of which used IP and 141 SC insulin therapy were analysed. Mean baseline R-SH concentration was 248 (31) μmol/L. In multivariable analysis, the route of insulin therapy had no impact on baseline R-SH levels. The estimated geometric mean concentrations of R-SH did not differ significantly between both groups: 264 (95% CI 257, 270) for the IP group and 258 (95% CI 254, 261) for the SC group with a difference of 6 (95% CI -2, 14) μmol/L.Conclusions: Based on R-SH as a marker of systemic oxidative stress, these findings demonstrate that the route of insulin administration, IP or SC, does not influence systemic redox status in patients with T1DM.</p

Favourable serum calcification propensity with intraperitoneal as compared with subcutaneous insulin administration in type 1 diabetes

Background: Serum calcification propensity can be monitored using the maturation time of calciprotein particles in serum (T-50 test). A shorter T-50 indicates greater propensity to calcify; this is an independent determinant of cardiovascular disease. As the intraperitoneal (IP) route of insulin administration mimics the physiology more than the subcutaneous (SC) route in persons with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), we hypothesized that IP insulin influences determinants of calcium propensity and therefore result in a longer T-50 than SC insulin administration. Methods: Prospective, observational case-control study. Measurements were performed at baseline and at 26 weeks in age and gender matched persons with T1DM. Results: A total of 181 persons, 39 (21.5%) of which used IP and 142 (78.5%) SC insulin were analysed. Baseline T-50 was 356 (45) minutes. The geometric mean T-50 significantly differed between both treatment groups: 367 [95% confidence interval (CI) 357, 376] for the IP group and 352 (95% CI 347, 357) for the SC group with a difference of -15 (95% CI -25, -4) minutes, in favour of IP treatment. In multivariable analyses, the IP route of insulin administration had a positive relation on T-50 concentrations while higher age, triglycerides and phosphate concentrations had an inverse relation. Conclusion: Among persons with T1DM, IP insulin administration results in a more favourable calcification propensity time then SC insulin. It has yet to be shown if this observation translates into improved cardiovascular outcomes

Hypoglycemia and strict glycemic control in critically ill patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In contrast to patients with diabetes mellitus, data on consequences of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients are sparse. The purpose of this review is to summarize available data on prevalence of hypoglycemia, risk factors, and possible consequences of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients. RECENT FINDINGS: There is strong evidence that strict glycemic control is beneficial for critically ill patients. Recent attempts to confirm these findings have not succeeded. Instead, they have increased the fear for negative consequences of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is four to seven times more frequent in patients treated with strict glycemic control. Risk factors for hypoglycemia are a change in nutrition without adjustment of insulin treatment, diabetes mellitus, sepsis, shock, liver failure, and the need for renal replacement therapy. Consequences of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients are not well defined, but overall current evidence suggests that beneficial effects of strict glycemic control outweigh possible negative effects of hypoglycemia. SUMMARY: Hypoglycemia should be avoided in critically ill patients, but not at the cost of less stringent glycemic control. Strict glycemic control with a low incidence of hypoglycemia can be achieved with a validated (computerized) algorithm and increased surveillance in patients with an increased risk for hypoglycemi

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. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: An 18-bed medical/surgical ICU in a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the ICU from January 2004 through December 2007. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN 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 elevate

Impact of hyperglycemia on the efficacy of chemotherapy-A systematic review of preclinical studies

Antineoplastic agents can provoke hyperglycemia in cancer patients with and without diabetes mellitus. We systematically reviewed the impact of hyperglycemia on the efficacy of chemotherapy. MEDLINE was searched for preclinical intervention studies which compared chemotherapy response in hyperglycemic and euglycemic conditions. Thirteen preclinical studies, including 23 cell lines and 2 animal experiments were identified. In 14 cell lines and 2 animal studies, chemotherapy response was lower in a hyperglycemic (>15mmol/L) compared to a euglycemic environment (5mmol/L). The response was similar in 4 cell lines. In the remaining 5 cell lines, the hyperglycemic environment potentiated chemotherapy efficacy. Hyperglycemia attenuated the antiproliferative effect of chemotherapy in preclinical experiments, but the results are inconsistent. Whether hyperglycemia influences efficacy of chemotherapy in patients needs to be explore