Prognostic Value of Blood Glucose Level in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Head Trauma

ABSTRACT

To examine the relationship between serum glucose level and the outcome of patients suffering from spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage(SSAH) and head injury, the authors prospectively studied serum glucose levels in 63 patients of SSAH and in 142 patients with headtrauma admitted within 72 hours after ictus. In SSAH, glucose levels measured at admission showed a statistically significant association with Botterell grade and deposition of blood on computerized tomography(CT) scans. As assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) at 1 months, good recovery occurred in 78.1% of patients with glucose level below 160mg%, good recovery was only found in 12.5% of patients with hyperglycemia(>160mg%)(p120mg%)(p<0.001). These data suggest that hyperglycemia on admission is a component of the stress response to head injury and SSAH. It serves as a useful indicator of severity of injury, and a significant predictor of outcome from SSAH and head injury.