Hyperglycemia as a positive predictor of mortality in major trauma

Background: Hyperglycemia in the acute phase after trauma is a stress response and a metabolic reflection in humans with injury, which could adversely affect outcome in trauma patients. In this study, we attempted to identify if hyperglycemia a reliable predictor for mortality in major trauma patients. Objectives: In order to identify if hyperglycemia a reliable predictor for mortality in major trauma, we designed and proformed a prospective observational study in a tertiary hospital. Method: We performed a prospective observational study to review the records of 601 patients with major trauma (injury severity scores >15) who visited our hospital’s emergency department from August 2012 to July 2015. Logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of hyperglycemia on mortality. Result: Major trauma patients in the hyperglycemia group had low systolic/diastolic blood pressure at triage, low initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, high incidence of hypotension episodes, coagulopathy, acidosis, and anemia. Hyperglycemia was significantly correlated with mortality in major trauma patients in this study (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–3.74). Conclusion: In major trauma patients with injury severity scores >15, hyperglycemia has a positive correlation with mortality, which could be a predictor of mortality in clinical practice.