A recent study has found that having higher than usual blood sugar levels at the time of hospital admission for an ischemic stroke significantly increases the risk of a poor functional outcome or death within three months.
This study was conducted by the Endocrinology and Nutrition Services and the Neurology Department of Hospital del Mar, along with researchers from the hospital’s Research Institute, the RICORS-ICTUS network, and the CIBER of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM).
Published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology, the study analyzed data from 2,774 patients who had suffered an ischemic stroke.
The researchers examined not only blood sugar levels at admission but also compared these levels to each patient’s usual blood sugar levels. They also considered other factors such as age, diabetes, disability, stroke severity, and treatments received.
The findings showed that higher blood glucose levels at admission were linked to a worse prognosis and higher mortality three months after the stroke. This correlation held true regardless of other factors.
Specifically, an increase of just 13% above usual blood sugar levels was associated with a worse prognosis. For patients with previously diagnosed diabetes, who made up 35% of the study population, this trend was also evident.
Dr. Elisenda Climent, an associate doctor at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service at Hospital del Mar, highlighted that higher blood sugar levels at the time of admission are a strong indicator of poor outcomes.
The study found that for every 10% increase in blood sugar levels, the risk of a worse prognosis rose by 7%. In cases where blood sugar levels were significantly higher, the risk of a poor outcome increased by 62%, and the risk of death by 88%.
The researchers aim to continue exploring the impact of blood sugar levels on stroke outcomes. Currently, glucose levels in stroke patients are not aggressively managed due to the risks of excessively lowering blood sugar, which can be harmful.
Dr. Ana Rodríguez, head of the stroke section of the Neurology Service at Hospital del Mar, explained that more conservative treatment is preferred since strict glucose control has not shown better results due to the dangers of hypoglycemia.
Further studies are planned to determine whether managing blood sugar levels more intensively can improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Dr. Juan José Chillarón, head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service at Hospital del Mar, emphasized the need to understand whether high blood sugar is merely a marker of stroke severity or if it can be effectively targeted to improve patient outcomes.
Researcher Joan Jiménez Balado suggested that more intensive insulin therapy could benefit patients with higher glucose levels, potentially changing the approach to treating stroke patients.
This ongoing research could pave the way for more personalized and intensive treatment strategies for stroke patients with high blood sugar, aiming to improve their chances of recovery and reduce mortality rates.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
The research findings can be found in Cardiovascular Diabetology.
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