Abstract P274: Evaluation of Glycemic Variability and Discharge Outcomes in Patients Presenting With Ischemic Stroke Following Intravenous Thrombolysis

Abstract

Presentation Objective: Does glycemic variability worsen Modified Rankin Score (mRS) following ischemic stroke in patients treated with thrombolytics (tPA)? Background/Purpose: Acute hyperglycemia and strict glucose control have been identified as predictors of hemorrhage, increased length of stay and hypoglycemia following ischemic stroke. However, the role of glucose variability in patients with ischemic stroke treated with tPA is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of glycemic variability on discharge outcomes in patients treated with tPA for ischemic stroke. Methodology: A retrospective review of adults with ischemic stroke who received tPA was completed. Patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours with image-confirmed ischemic stroke and symptom onset within 4.5 hours of presentation were included. Glycemic variability was measured using the J-index calculation and groups were defined as patients with normal or abnormal J-indices. Logistic regression models were developed to determine odds ratios for defined outcomes including NIHSS score, mRS and disposition at discharge. Statistical significance was a p-value of <0.05. Results: Of the 229 patients included, 132 (58%) had a normal J-index (4.7 – 23.6). In the univariate analysis, abnormal J-index was associated with higher rates of hypertension (94% vs 73%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (74% vs 12%), chronic kidney disease (34% vs 11%), higher initial blood glucose values (220 ±172 vs 111 ±20) and HbA1c, and worse outcomes in terms of NIHSS score, mRS and disposition at discharge. In the multivariate analysis, patients with an abnormal J-index had higher odds of unfavorable outcomes in terms of discharge mRS (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.0 – 4.3, p=0.045) and hemorrhagic transformation (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.7 – 10.2, p=0.002). There was no difference in discharge disposition (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.7 – 3.0 p=0.4). Conclusion: Glycemic variability, following ischemic stroke, may result in unfavorable patient outcomes in patients treated with tPA. Additional studies are needed to determine the appropriate glucose management strategy.