Impaired Fasting Blood Glucose as an Independent Predictor of Future Stroke in Non-Diabetic Patients with TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is leading cause of disability in developed and developing countries. Diabetes mellitus is an important modifiable risk factor for stroke. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of impaired fasting blood glucose in acute ischemic stroke patients. Substantially increasing diabetes prevalence each year across all age and race/ethnicity group, together with the strong association of diabetes with stroke suggest a rationale for screening all stroke patients for pre-diabetes and diabetes. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of impaired fasting blood glucose in patients with acute non-diabetic stroke. As there is a paucity of local data, this study would change the initial management of those patients, specifically with respect to other risk factors & prevent its adverse outcomes. Subjects and Setting: This is cross-sectional study conducted in Medical III, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi in approximately six months. 296 in patients who met the inclusion criteria were included, after taking a verbal consent. The venous blood samples for glucose were collected after an overnight fasting of 12 hours. Impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBS) will be defined according to WHO criteria; fasting glucose between 100-125 mg/dl at the time of admission. Quantitative data was presented as simple descriptive statistics and effect modifiers were controlled through stratification of age, gender, hypertension, BMI and smoking status to see the effect of these on the outcome variable. Post stratification chi square test was applied taking p-value of ≤0.05 as significant. Results: Out of 296 patients mean and standard deviation of age and BMI was 53.14±7.49 years and 30.72±1.89 kg/m2 respectively. 172 (58.1%) were male and 124 (41.9%) were female. Amongst patients with acute ischemic stroke, 123 (41.6%) had impaired fasting blood glucose. Conclusion: Impaired fasting blood glucose is an independent risk factor for future stroke in non-diabetic patients with TIA or minor ischemic stroke. Stroke patients represent an enriched population for undiagnosed diabetes.