Maintaining Blood Glucose Levels in Range (70–150 mg/dL) is Difficult in COVID-19 Compared to Non-COVID-19 ICU Patients—A Retrospective Analysis

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 9; no. 11; p. 3635
• Main Authors: Kapoor, Rajat, Timsina, Lava R., Gupta, Nupur, Kaur, Harleen, Vidger, Arianna J., Pollander, Abby M., Jacobi, Judith, Khare, Swapnil, Rahman, Omar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 12-11-2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Clinical medicine; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Drug administration; Insulin resistance; Mortality; Indiana; United States > US; Indianapolis Indiana
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113635

Beta cell dysfunction is suggested in patients with COVID-19 infections. Poor glycemic control in ICU is associated with poor patient outcomes. This is a single center, retrospective analysis of 562 patients in an intensive care unit from 1 March to 30 April 2020. We review the time in range (70–150 mg/dL) spent by critically ill COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients, along with the daily insulin use. Ninety-three in the COVID-19 cohort and 469 in the non-COVID-19 cohort were compared for percentage of blood glucose TIR (70–150 mg/dL) and average daily insulin use. The COVID-19 cohort spent significantly less TIR (70–150 mg/dL) compared to the non-COVID-19 cohort (44.4% vs. 68.5%). Daily average insulin use in the COVID-19 cohort was higher (8.37 units versus 6.17 units). ICU COVID-19 patients spent less time in range (70–150 mg/dL) and required higher daily insulin dose. A higher requirement for ventilator and days on ventilator was associated with a lower TIR. Mortality was lower for COVID-19 patients who achieved a higher TIR.