Complications associated with hyperglycemia in liver transplant patients

• Published in: Revista de gastroenterología de México 2014-07, Vol.79 (3), p.180-186
• Main Authors: Builes Montaño, Carlos Esteban, Montoya, Julián Felipe, Londoño, Carolina Aguilar, Palacios Bayona, Karen Lorena, Restrepo Gutiérrez, Juan Carlos, Restrepo, Johnayro Gutiérrez, Arango Toro, Clara María, Jaimes Barragan, Fabián Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Hyperglycemia - complications; Liver Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0375-0906
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2014.08.002

Hyperglycemia is a frequent phenomenon in hospitalized patients that is associated with negative outcomes. It is common in liver transplant patients as a result of stress and is related to immunosuppressant drugs. Although studies are few, a history of diabetes and the presentation of hyperglycemia during liver transplantation have been associated with a higher risk for rejection. To analyze whether hyperglycemia during the first 48hours after liver transplantation was associated with a higher risk for infection, rejection, or longer hospital stay. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients above the age of 15years that received a liver transplant. Hyperglycemia was defined as a value above 140mg/dl and it was measured in three different manners (as an isolated value, as a mean value, and as a weighted value over time). The relation of hyperglycemia to a risk for acute rejection, infection, or longer hospital stay was evaluated. Some form of hyperglycemia was present in 94% of the patients during the first 48 post-transplantation hours, regardless of its definition. There was no increased risk for rejection (OR: 1.49; 95%CI: 0.55-4.05), infection (OR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.16-2.25), or longer hospital stay between the patients that presented with hyperglycemia and those that did not. Hyperglycemia during the first 48hours after transplantation appeared to be an expected phenomenon in the majority of patients and was not associated with a greater risk for rejection or infection and it had no impact on the duration of hospital stay.