To Study The Relationship Between Perioperative Hyperglycemia And Postoperative Infections (Code- T0075)

Introduction: Perioperative hyperglycemia, commonly observed in surgical patients, can result from stress responses to surgery and pre-existing metabolic conditions such as diabetes. Elevated glucose levels during the perioperative period have been linked to an increased risk of postoperative infections, affecting patient recovery and outcomes. Identifying the relationship between perioperative hyperglycemia and infection rates is essential for improving patient care and reducing complications.

Aim and Objective:

Aim: To study the association between perioperative hyperglycemia to the subsequent risk of post operative infections through a prospective observational study.

Objectives:

1. To know the incidence of stress hyperglycemia- In patients who are euglycemic pre-operatively.
2. To study the effect of peri operative hyperglycemia on post-operative bacterial infections.
3. To study the difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patient regarding post-operative bacterial infections and peri-operative hyperglycemia.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 250 surgical patients over a period of 12 months at a tertiary care hospital. Blood glucose levels were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative infections, including surgical site infections and systemic infections, was recorded. The data were analyzed to determine the impact of perioperative hyperglycemia on infection rates, controlling for factors such as age, comorbidities, and type of surgery.

Results: The study found that patients with perioperative hyperglycemia had a significantly higher rate of postoperative infections (35%) compared to normoglycemic patients (15%) (p < 0.01). Surgical site infections were most prevalent among patients with elevated blood glucose levels. Multivariate analysis confirmed perioperative hyperglycemia as an independent risk factor for postoperative infections, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.2 (95% CI: 2.1–4.8).

Conclusion: Perioperative hyperglycemia is a significant risk factor for postoperative infections. Tight glycemic control during the perioperative period may help reduce infection rates and improve recovery. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at managing hyperglycemia in surgical patients.

Keywords: Perioperative Hyperglycemia, Postoperative Infections, Blood Glucose, Surgical Site Infections, Risk Factor, Glycemic Control.