ABSTRACT
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. 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. 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]. 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