Elevated Fasting Blood sugar Linked to Higher Readmissions in Elderly HF Patients

A recent retrospective study underlined the significant link between elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and the likelihood of readmission within one year among elderly patients with heart failure (HF). The findings were published in the Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes.

This study utilized electronic health records from PhysioNet and focused on HF patients aged 60 and older to bridge the existing gap in evidence concerning the association between FBG levels and adverse outcomes in this vulnerable population. The research incorporated baseline data, comorbidities and laboratory test results as covariates from a total of 374 elderly patients in its analysis. The relationship between 1-year readmission rates and varying glucose levels was meticulously examined through Kaplan-Meier plots provides valuable insights into the potential impact of FBG on the health outcomes of HF patients.

This study revealed the association between FBG levels and the rate of readmission in elderly patients with HF with a hazard ratio of 1.0264 (95% CI 0.9994 to 1.0541), following meticulous adjustments for relevant factors. The diabetes group expressed a higher risk of readmission when compared to the normal group, despite this difference did not reach statistical significance. The hazard ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were 1.2134 (0.98111.5007), 1.2393 (0.99931.5371), and 1.1905 (0.9570~1.4809), respectively.

The robustness of the model highlighted risk models with subgroup analysis by demonstrating FBG levels that consistently exerted a stable effect on outcome events. This effect remained unaffected by covariates such as age, gender, body mass index, glomerular filtration rate and brain natriuretic peptide. These findings offer crucial insights into the connection between elevated FBG at the time of initial hospitalization and the subsequent likelihood of readmission within one year among elderly patients with HF.

Source:

Wang, D., & Wu, S. (2024). Relationship between fasting blood glucose and readmission within 1 year in elderly patients with heart failure. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2233-3917