Prediction of post-operative complications among diabetic patients undergoing major surgery using biomarkers

Jekee Patel1, Parin Patel2, Himarshi Upadhyay3

  • 1Department of Surgery, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Vadnagar, Gujarat, India.

Bioinformation
|September 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Preoperative testing of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in diabetic patients undergoing surgery can predict complications. Elevated levels indicate higher risks of wound infections and longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays, aiding surgical planning.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent comorbidity in patients undergoing major surgery.
  • Perioperative complications significantly impact patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
  • Predictive biomarkers for surgical risk stratification are crucial for optimizing patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between pre-operative biomarkers and postoperative complications in diabetic patients.
  • To assess the predictive value of HbA1c, CRP, IL-6, and procalcitonin for surgical outcomes.
  • To determine the utility of biomarker profiling in identifying high-risk surgical patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 150 diabetic patients undergoing major surgery.
  • Measurement of pre-operative HbA1c, CRP, IL-6, and procalcitonin levels.
  • Correlation analysis between biomarker levels and postoperative complications (e.g., wound infections, ICU stay).

Main Results:

  • Elevated pre-operative HbA1c (>8%) and CRP levels were strongly associated with increased postoperative complications.
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin demonstrated moderate predictive accuracy for systemic inflammation.
  • Biomarker profiling effectively identified patients at higher risk for adverse surgical outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Pre-operative HbA1c and CRP are valuable predictors of postoperative complications in diabetic surgical patients.
  • Integrating these biomarkers into pre-operative assessments can enhance risk stratification.
  • Biomarker-guided surgical planning and postoperative care can potentially improve patient outcomes.

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