Prevalence, Predictors and Prognosis of Post-Stroke Hyperglycaemia in Acute Stroke Trials: Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA)

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke hyperglycaemia (PSH) is associated with higher mortality and dependence, but further data on predictors of PSH and its evolution over time are required. We examined the prevalence, predictors, and prognosis of acute PSH using data from well-characterised clinical trials in the VISTA database. METHODS: Data were extracted for individual participants enrolled <24 h after stroke with ≥1 blood glucose readings documented. PSH was defined as glucose >7.0 mmol/l. Outcome measures were: (1) prevalence of PSH; (2) predictors of PSH by binary logistic regression; (3) mortality, and (4) favourable functional outcome [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score <2] at day 90. RESULTS: For 2,649 subjects treated at a median 5.5 h after admission, PSH was present in 1,126 (42.6%, 95% CI 40.7–44.5) on admission and within the first 48 h in 1,421 (53.7%, 95% CI 51.8–55.6). PSH developed between 24 and 48 h in 19.4% (95% CI 17.5–21.4) of initially normoglycaemic subjects. Admission and 48-hour PSH were predicted predominantly by a history of diabetes (for admission PSH: OR 7.40, 95% CI 5.60–9.79) and less clearly by stroke severity. Favourable outcome (mRS <2) at day 90 was less likely with PSH within the first 48 h, advanced age, and higher NIHSS score, and more likely with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Over 40% of ischaemic stroke patients are hyperglycaemic on admission, and 20% of those who are initially normoglycaemic develop hyperglycaemia within 48 h. Diabetes is the strongest predictor of acute hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia within the first 48 h is independently associated with higher mortality and poorer functional outcome, with an absolute increase of 12.9%.