Variability of insulin sensitivity during the first 4 days of critical illness: implications for tight glycemic control

Introduction: Effective tight glycaemic control (TGC) can improve outcomes in critical care patients, but is difficult to achieve consistently. Insulin sensitivity defines the metabolic balance between insulin concentration and insulin mediated glucose disposal. Hence, variability of insulin sensitivity can cause variable glycaemia. This study quantifies and compares the daily evolution of insulin sensitivity level and variability for critical care patients receiving TGC. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the SPRINT TGC study involving patients admitted to a mixed medical-surgical ICU between August 2005 and May 2007. Only patients who commenced TGC within 12 hours of ICU admission and spent at least 24 hours on the SPRINT protocol were included (N=164). Model-based insulin sensitivity (SI) was identified each hour. Absolute level and hour-to-hour percent changes in SI were assessed on cohort and per-patient bases. Levels and variability of SI were compared over time on 24-hour and 6-hour timescales for the first 4 days of ICU stay. Results: Cohort and per-patient median SI levels increased by 34% and 33% (p<0.001) between days 1 and 2 of ICU stay. Concomitantly, cohort and per-patient SI variability decreased by 32% and 36% (p