Patients with diabetes in the intensive care unit; not served by treatment, yet protected?

Crit Care. 2010;14(2):126. doi: 10.1186/cc8881. Epub 2010 Mar 1.

Abstract

Diabetes is associated with severe complications and decreased life expectancy. However, in the previous issue of Critical Care, Vincent and colleagues report no difference in mortality between patients with insulin-treated diabetes and patients without diabetes in the intensive care unit (ICU), despite larger severity of illness in the diabetes group at admission. This study contributes to the growing evidence that diabetes in itself is not a risk factor for ICU mortality, although the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. On the other hand, patients with diabetes seem not to benefit from tight glycemic control during their ICU stay. Different treatment approaches may be needed for patients with diabetes and patients with stress hyperglycemia.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Glycemic Index
  • Hospital Mortality / trends
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose