Management of critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes: The need for personalised therapy

Abstract

Critical illness in patients with pre-existing diabetes frequently causes deterioration in glycaemic control. Despite the prevalence of diabetes in patients admitted to hospital and intensive care units, the ideal management of hyperglycaemia in these groups is uncertain. There are data that suggest that acute hyperglycaemia in critically ill patients without diabetes is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Exogenous insulin to keep blood glucose concentrations < 10 mmol/L is accepted as standard of care in this group. However, preliminary data have recently been reported that suggest that chronic hyperglycaemia may result in conditioning, which protects these patients against ..