[Glycemic control in non-critical hospitalized patients].

Objectives: To assess in hospitalized patients the prevalence of hyperglycemia, degree of glycemic control, rate of hypoglycemia, and treatment used.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, observational study.

Results: Hyperglycemia was found in 185 (26.7%) of 691 patients, of whom 85% had been diagnosed with diabetes and 15% had no diabetes. Preprandial mean blood glucose was 169 mg/dL (95% CI 160-177). Control goals were achieved by 34.5% of patients (blood glucose ≤140 mg/dL). In 121 patients only sliding-scale regular insulin was used, while 64 patients received both basal and regular insulin. The mean daily insulin dose used was 19.5 units. Oral antidiabetics were given to 11.4% of patients. Thirteen patients (7%) experienced hypoglycemia (< 70 mg/dL), none of them severe.

Conclusions: Glycemic control is not adequate in hospitalized patients, probably because of overuse of sliding scales and the low insulin doses used.