Evaluation of diabetes mellitus in patients with sepsis

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent disease worldwide and infection is a major problem in diabetics. This study investigated the frequency of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors in patients with sepsis. Patients and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including 300 randomly selected cases admitted to Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital with the diagnosis of sepsis between March 2003 and February 2006. Results: Of 300 septic patients, 158 (52.7%) had diabetes mellitus with the mean age (± standard deviation) of 52.7±28.4 years. The most common site of infection was respiratory tract. Evaluation of the outcome of patients in two diabetic and non-diabetic groups demonstrated a statistical difference (p=0.001). Mortality rate increased with aging, delay in therapy commencement and the number of SIRS criteria (p=0.001). Evaluation of the mortality rate in 3 diabetic groups (blood glucose > 250, 180-250 and < 180 mg/dl) demonstrated a statistical difference (P= 0.001). Conclusion: Aging can increase the rate of sepsis and its associated mortality in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Mortality of sepsis is more in diabetics when compared with non-diabetics. Severity of disease (further SIRS criteria) increases mortality and tight control of blood glucose may be associated with better prognosis