Investigation of glucose, serum insulin levels, and insulin resistance in patients with major burn: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported that insulin resistance (IR) is present and persistent in patients with major burns; however, the evidence remains insufficient. This study was planned to investigate insulin levels and IR in the early post-traumatic period in patients with major burns and to determine the prevalence of IR after burn injury. METHODS: This study included 68 patients. These patients were followed up once a week for 4 weeks after hospitalization. In the follow-up examinations, demographic and burn injury characteristics; HbA1c, procalcitonin serum glucose, and insulin levels; and IR were evaluated. RESULTS: IR was seen in some weeks only in 25 of the 68 patients included in the study. Among all patients, IR was determined in only 11 (16.17%) patients from the 1st day of hospitalization until discharge. Patients with and without IR were evaluated as 2 groups, and their biochemical parameters were compared, and no significant difference was found between glucose and procalcitonin levels (P>0.05). Glucose levels were >100 mg/dL in the first few weeks in all patients who were followed up; however, they returned to the normal range in the following weeks. CONCLUSION: In patients with IR, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the condition persists. We believe that the HOMA-IR value is not directly related to burn injuries and that other additional pathologies may cause it during treatment.