Incidence and outcomes of early hyperglycaemia in critically ill patients

The study provides insight into associations with blood glucose level in a multidisciplinary critical care population in South Africa. Hyperglycaemia is common in critically ill patients in South Africa and is associated with severity of illness. Hypergylcaemia is associated with increased ICU mortality, ICU length of stay, length of ventilation and wound sepsis. Hypoglycaemia was also associated with increased ICU mortality. Based on the findings of this study, moderate glycaemic control, with avoidance of hypoglycaemia remains a reasonable strategy for critically ill patients in South Africa.