Effect of Low Dose Insulin Therapy on Normoglycemic Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units

Background Insulin has anti-inflammatory effect and vasodilatory effect via endothelial NO release in arteries, veins and capillaries. Insulin inhibits release of inflammatory mediators like IL-6, TNF-α and enhances the immune function of monocytes. Stress-induced hyperglycemia is very common in the ICU, being detected in 50–85% of critically ill patients. It is defined as a blood glucose level >140 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 6.5 without a past history of pre-existing diabetes. Aim of the Work to evaluate the effect of low dose insulin therapy on the clinical progression of organ dysfunction and on the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and lipid profile in patients known to be normoglycemic complaining of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis in intensive care unit. Patients and Methods The study was conducted on 60 patients which were randomized into 2 groups: 30 patients received moderate insulin therapy (group 1) and 30 patients received iv infusion of placebo (normal saline 0.9% NaCl) during the course of the study (group 2). Results There was an improvement in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature in group 1 compared to group 2 and throughout the study period in group 1. CRP and lactate levels were declined in group 1 with better creatinine values. Triglycerides were decreased in group 1 and hypoxic index was higher in group 1 compared to group 2. Conclusion Insulin therapy with target blood glucose (120-140 mg/dL) has been found in our study that it reduces the complications of SIRS and organ failure, which was expressed by the gradual improvement in heart rate, means arterial blood pressure, body temperature, serum lactate level and urine output. These results support the hypothesis that insulin has a positive inotropic effect. Recommendations Future studies are required to compare between moderate insulin therapy with target blood glucose (120 – 140 mg/dL) and intensive insulin therapy with target blood glucose (80-110 mg/dL) as regard patients' mortality and morbidity.