Leukoglycemic Index and Its Prognostic Implications in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

BACKGROUND The leuko-glycemic index (LGI) combines the white blood cell count and blood glucose levels and is calculated by multiplying the 2 values and dividing them by 1000. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of the LGI in 199 patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) with and without diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted retrospectively on 199 patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, and received a diagnosis of APE by pulmonary angiography. The patients were divided into 2 groups, diabetic and nondiabetic, based on their medical history. The groups were compared in terms of mortality according to the optimal cut-off value of LGI. RESULTS Of the 199 patients with APE included in the study, 61% were women and 39% were men. Mortality was higher in the diabetic group, and a simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score ≥1 was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during the 30-day follow-up in the nondiabetic group (P=0.024). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LGI was not an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during the first 30 days of follow-up in either group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mortality was higher in patients with diabetes and APE. However, the LGI was not an independent predictor of mortality in patients with or without diabetes. Since there are not enough studies on this subject, this result needs to be supported by additional research.