Hypoglycemia During Hospitalization Linked to Higher Mortality Risk
Summary
Boston, MA, July 08, 2009 --( Previous research showed an increased risk of mortality, seizures and coma in patients who, while admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), developed hypoglycemia.“Ours is the first study to examine mortality risks for hospitalized diabetes patients outside of a critical care setting,” said Alexander Turchin, MD, of the Endocrinology Department at BWH.“Ours is the first study to examine mortality risks for hospitalized diabetes patients outside of a critical care setting,” said Alexander Turchin, MD, of the Endocrinology Department at BWH.They studied the association between the number and severity of hypoglycemic episodes with inpatient mortality, length of hospital stay and mortality within one year of discharge.This study found that for each hospital day with at least one hypoglycemic episode, there was an 85.3 percent increased risk of dying as an inpatient and a 65.8 percent increased risk of dying within one year of discharge.“These findings provide support for considering increased monitoring, more aggressive treatment of infections, and transitioning to a more intensive care setting for diabetic patients who have developed hypoglycemia in the general ward.”The study was funded by grants from the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation and the National Library of Medicine.About Brigham and Womens Hospital:-Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH) is a 777-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery network.