Detecting and Managing Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes in Patients With Acute Stroke

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes (pre-DM) in acute stroke patients, to evaluate recommendations of diabetes treatment and follow-up care in a hospital setting, and to examine 1-year readmission rates based on admission A1C measure.

This retrospective study comprised 200 patients randomly selected from 1095 patients admitted with an acute stroke and an A1C measurement during admission. DM and pre-DM prevalence levels were determined per A1C level. Recommendations for diabetes treatment during and after hospitalization were assessed; charts were reviewed for readmission.

Among 200 patients, 43% had known DM, and 0.5% had pre-DM. Among 113 patients without history of DM or pre-DM, 61.9% had A1C 5.7% to 6.4% (39-46 mmol/mol), and 8.8% had A1C ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol). None of the newly diagnosed pre-DM and 60% of newly diagnosed DM were documented. Only 7 of newly diagnosed DM or pre-DM patients received diabetes education. For patients with known DM and A1C ≥7.0% (53 mmol/mol), 40.5% registered no change of diabetic regimen. Few patients were recommended for diabetes follow-up care. Patients with A1C ≥6.5% or <5.7% were more likely to be readmitted for any reason within 1 year (33.3% and 31.6%, respectively) than patients with A1C levels of 5.7% to 6.4% (16.5%).

The majority of acutely admitted stroke patients without known DM or pre-DM had A1C ≥5.7%. Newly diagnosed DM or pre-DM patients received inadequate diabetes education and follow-up care. These findings provide significant opportunities for improving acute stroke management.