Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality after Acute Ischemic Stroke in Subjects with and without Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a well-established risk factor for ischemic stroke and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential predictors of in-hospital mortality after an ischemic stroke in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Methods: 159 diabetic subjects (66 males / 93 females, mean age ± SD: 77.4 ± 6.4 years) and 159 non diabetic subjects (66 males / 93 females, mean age ± SD: 77.3 ± 5.2 years) hospitalized for ischemic stroke were studied. Demographic characteristics and laboratory tests on admission as well as outcome were recorded. Brain computed tomography scan was performed in all study subjects. Results: In-hospital death rates did not differ between the diabetic and the nondiabetic patients [36 (22.6%) vs. 27 (17.0%), respectively, P = 0.20]. In the diabetic study group multivariate analysis, after controlling for CRP, total cholesterol, LDL-C, urea and creatinine levels, demonstrated that death was related with WBC count (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001-1.004, P = 0.005), glucose levels (OR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.002-1.012, P = 0.008), and UA levels (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.003-2.260, P = 0.05). In the nondiabetic study group, after controlling for WBC count, CRP, total cholesterol and LDLC levels, death was related only with glucose levels (OR: 1.016, 95% CI: 1.001-1.031, P = 0.03). Conclusions: WBC count and UA levels on hospital admission are independent predictors for in-hospital mortality in diabetic subjects with ischemic stroke. Plasma glucose levels are predictor for in-hospital mortality in both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.