Significance of Random blood sugar in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury(TBI) occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI is a leading cause of death and disability. A complex pathophysiological cascade of cellular events is involved in it. Experimental models have shown that TBI results in a significant increase in glucose utilization following injury. Hyperglycemia aggravates underlying brain damage by causing free radical injury, apoptosis and lactic acidosis. The aim of our study is to estimate the random blood sugar levels in TBI patients within 24 hours of injury and to find its correlation with the level of consciousness (Glasgow coma scale) if any .The study involves 30 TBI patients who were admitted to P.I.M.S hospital within 24 hours of injury (group I) and 30 healthy age and sex matched controls (group II).Random blood glucose was estimated in both the groups and Glasgow coma scale was noted in group I .Data was analyzed by unpaired t test.Pearson’s Correlation coefficient was measured between RBS and GCS. TBI patients had blood sugar 189.93 ± 51.74 mg/dl and controls had 106.47 ± 18.32 mg/dl.The random blood sugar was elevated significantly (P< 0.0001) in Gp I compared to Gp II.GCS was bearing a negative correlation with the blood sugar(r= 0.7043). From the elevated blood glucose levels and its negative correlation with Glasgow coma scale we conclude that strict blood glucose regulation is essential in TBI patients for the better outcome after head injury.