Clinical profile of hyperglycemia in medical ICU: an observational study at a rural tertiary care centre

Background and aim: Hyperglycemia in ICU is associated with increased risk of mortality. This study determined hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. Methods: It was a hospital-based observational study conducted in the department of medicine of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Kangra (at Tanda) a tertiary care referral hospital. All patients above the age of 18 years with hyperglycemia during hospital stay in Medical ICU setting and willing to participate in this study were included. In hospital hyperglycemia was defined as any glucose value >7.8 mmol/l (140 mg/dl).Patients were labeled on the basis of their glycemic status on admissionto Medicine ICU as admission hyperglycemia or having any RBS value>140mg/dl during ICU stay. Results: Mean age of the patients was 60.33 ± 15.2 years. Sixty-two percent of the patients aged above 60 years. 50.5% were males. 37.14% were smokers, 36.19% were alcoholics, and 9.5% were vegetarian. 53 patients (50.4%) were known diabetics and 52 patients(49.53%) had no prior history of diabetes and had presented with new hyperglycemia. 75 patients had ECG changes, majority of which were ST elevation (22%) followed by sinus bradycardia/ tachycardia (22%) and ST depression (17%). 11 patients(10%) had LVH while 7 patients (7%) had BBB/CHB. 3 patients (3%) had evidence of arrhythmia. Conclusion: Hypoglycemia is more common in elderly and had a higher risk of ACS.