Fasting blood glucose levels affect hospitalization time and relapse and mortality rates of cerebral infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE This study determined the relationship between fasting glucose levels of cerebral infarction patients and the hospitalization time and relapse and mortality rates. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted between February 1996 and December 2006 involving 974 inpatients with cerebral infarctions. Fasting blood glucose and lipid levels and blood pressure were measured the morning after hospitalization. The length of hospital stay, and data obtained from telephone follow-up interviews regarding relapse and complications were recorded. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions, logistic regression, the chi-square test, and the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance of ranks test. RESULTS Our data show that the duration of hospitalization and relapse and mortality rates of patients with cerebral infarctions correlate with the admission fasting blood glucose levels. Cerebral infarction patients with fasting blood glucose levels > 11.1 mmol/L and LDL levels > 3.5 mmol/L have higher mortality rates (50.00%). Patients with fasting blood glucose levels > 11.1 mmol/L combined with a diastolic pressure < 80 mmHg or > 100 mmHg also have high mortality rates (33.33% and 30.00%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Fasting glucose levels of inpatients with cerebral infarctions are closely related to the duration of hospitalization and relapse and mortality rates. Higher fasting blood glucose levels exacerbate damage to cerebral blood vessels caused by alterations in blood lipid levels and blood pressure. Therefore, blood glucose levels should be monitored during the early stage of cerebral infarction and intervention should be provided promptly to decrease the length of hospital stay and the risk of relapse and mortality.