Short term outcome of patients with hyperglycemia and acute stroke

Abstract Background Preexisting hyperglycemia worsens the clinical outcome of acute stroke. Do non-diabetic patients with stress hyperglycemia have a similar outcome to those with diabetes mellitus (DM)? We aimed to assess the glycemic status after acute stroke and its role on stroke outcome. Methods 61 consecutive patients with acute stroke were included. 41 had hyperglycemia (20 diabetics and 21 non diabetics) and 20 were control. Admission blood glucose level, CT brain and NIHSS were performed. 30 days mortality was the study endpoint. Results 60.7% males with mean age of 62.9 ± 10.5 years. Compared to control, patients with hyperglycemia had a higher incidence of posterior circulation affection (19.5% vs. 0%, P = .03). The NIHSS was statistically higher than control (14.9 ± 5.9 vs.7.8 ± 3.5, p = .000). The mortality rate and the hospital length of stay were higher than control (65.9% vs. 5.0%, P  Conclusions Hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcomes after acute stroke. History of HTN, admission glucose level ≥ 223 mg/dL and NIHSS ≥ 10 were predictors of worse stroke outcome.