The Presence of Diabetes and Higher HbA1c Are Independently Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Surgery

OBJECTIVE Limited studies have examined the association between diabetes and HbA 1c with postoperative outcomes. We investigated the association of diabetes, defined categorically, and the association of HbA 1c as a continuous measure, with postoperative outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this prospective, observational study, we measured the HbA 1c of surgical inpatients age ≥54 years at a tertiary hospital between May 2013 and January 2016. Patients were diagnosed with diabetes if they had preexisting diabetes or an HbA 1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or with prediabetes if they had an HbA 1c between 5.7 and 6.4% (39 and 48 mmol/mol). Patients with an HbA 1c RESULTS Of 7,565 inpatients, 30% had diabetes, and 37% had prediabetes. After adjusting for age, Charlson comorbidity index (excluding diabetes and age), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and length of surgery, diabetes was associated with increased 6-month mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29 [95% CI 1.05–1.58]; P = 0.014), major complications (1.32 [1.14–1.52]; P P P P 1c was associated with increased major complications (aOR 1.07 [1.01–1.14]; P = 0.030), ICU admission (aOR 1.14 [1.07–1.21]; P P CONCLUSIONS Almost one-third of surgical inpatients age ≥54 years had diabetes. Diabetes and higher HbA 1c were independently associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes after surgery.