A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety Between Different Dilution of Insulin Infusion in Controlling Blood Sugar Level in ICU Patient

Hyperglycemia associated with insulin resistance is common in critically ill patients, even in those nondiabetic patients. Hyperglycaemia or relative insulin deficiency (or both) during critical illness may directly or indirectly confer a predisposition to complications, such as severe infections, polyneuropathy, multiple-organ failure, and death. Tight glycaemic control in adult long-stay critically ill patients using intensive insulin therapy reduces absolute mortality. It has been reported that pronounced hyperglycemia may lead to complications in such patients, although data from controlled trials are lacking. However, target glycaemia may be difficult to achieve in clinical practice. Insulin adsorption onto infusion equipment (e.g., infusion tubing) may affect glucose control, possibly leading to hyperglycemia. In the use of low-level intravenous insulin infusion for treating diabetic hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis adsorption of insulin to containers or plastic infusion apparatus results in significant losses of 60-80% of insulin in dilute physiological saline solution.

Problem statement & Study rationale

Up to my knowledge, there is no study that demonstrate differences between types of dilution for insulin infusion in ICU patient in Malaysia; thus, this study is aimed to evaluate it. In 2001 it has been reported that intensive insulin therapy (IIT) in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients was associated with reduction in mortality and morbidity as well as other associated factors. There is limited study in comparing dilution of insulin in normal saline and other types of diluents.

Other than that, it is important to know which diluent the best is to choose for the management of hyperglycaemia in ICU patient.