[Does diabetes mellitus affect the course and prognosis of ischemic stroke?]

Although diabetes is a well-known risk factor for ischemic stroke, its role in ischemic stroke outcome has not been clarified yet. Stroke subtypes according to the TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) classification, history of hypertension, serum glucose levels, blood pressure and OCSP (Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project) clinical types of admission, the presence of infections and seizures in the acute phase of illness, duration of hospitalisation, early and in-hospital mortality in diabetics and non-diabetic stroke patients were studied. CT scans in both groups were analysed by the size, localisation and number of ischemic foci. Significant differences were found only as regards the history of hypertension, as well as glucose levels and blood pressure on admission. The incidence of arterial hypertension prior to ischemic stroke was higher in the diabetic group. These patients had significantly higher blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure level on admission than had the non-diabetic group. No differences were found between the two groups on any other analysed variables. Our observations suggest that diabetes has no effect on the course and outcome of ischemic stroke.