Increased Fluctuation of Measured Glucose in Critically Ill Patients Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality

Background: Extreme glucose values in critically ill patients have been studied and shown to be predictors of mortality. In addition, glucose fluctuation is also proposed to have been a determinant of poor outcome. In our study, we attempt to understand whether there is a relation between the fluctuations of glucose in critically ill patients to their mortality. Methods: Data was obtained from "Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III" database between 2001 and 2012. Fluctuation was measured as coefficient of variance of glucose (CVG). Patients were split into four groups based on the CVG of glucose levels during their ICU stay, namely Group 1: 100%. Outcomes were measured at 3-day mortality interval and the relative risk was compared across the four groups. Multinomial logistic regression with length of stay, prednisone administration and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II as variables were run to assess the relative risk ratios (RRR) of increased CVG with mortality. Results: A total of 45,302 adult ICU admissions were considered, 82.1% (n=37,192) had no diabetes, 17.6% (n=7,952) were type 2 diabetic (T2DM) and 0.04% (n=168) were type 1 diabetic (T1DM). The RRR for 3-day mortality, among the nondiabetics compared to the base outcome (Group 1) was 1.51 (p