Treatment of hyperglycemia in patients with acute stroke

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2015 Source:Revista Clínica Española (English Edition) Author(s): L. Castilla-Guerra, M.C. Fernández-Moreno, J. Hewitt The proportion of diabetic patients who are hospitalized for stroke has been increasing in recent years, currently reaching almost a third of all cases of stroke. In addition, about half of patients with acute stroke present hyperglycemia in the first hours of the stroke. Although hyperglycemia in the acute phase of stroke is associated with a poor prognosis, its treatment is currently a topic of debate. There is no evidence that the adminstration of intravenous insulin to these patients offers benefits in terms of the evolution of the stroke. New studies in development, such as the SHINE study (Stroke Hyperglycemia Insulin Network Effort), may contribute to clarifying the role of intensive control of glycemia during the acute phase of the stroke. Ultimately, patients who have presented with stroke should be screened for diabetes.
Source: Revista Clinica Espanola - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research