There is a link between mild to moderate hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and mortality in critically ill patients. Results from NICE-SUGAR trial showed that compared to conventional therapy, intensive glucose control increases the risk in terms of death and episodes of severe hypoglycemia in critically ill patients.

    The purpose of the study was to assess the association between hypoglycemia and mortality in critically ill patients. 4946 patients were involved in the study and among them1,109 experienced hypoglycemia and the remaining 3,837 did not. "Even after adjustment for insulin therapy or timing of hypoglycemia episode, the more severe the hypoglycemia, the greater the risk of death," says Rinaldo Bellomo, M.D., a co-investigator from the Department of Intensive Care, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.

    "Our results suggest that any tolerance of mild to moderate hypoglycemia by intensive care clinicians may be undesirable. In this regard, newer technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring in the ICU setting might help avoid hypoglycemia or identify it earlier," says Dr. Bellomo.