Glycemic variability is complex - is glucose complexity variable?
1 Department of Intensive Care, G3-227, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2 Department of Medical Informatics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3 Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Critical Care 2012, 16:178 doi:10.1186/cc11834
See related research by Brunner et al., http://ccforum.com/content/16/5/R175
Published: 21 November 2012Abstract
Observational studies show an independent association between increased glycemic variability and higher mortality in critically ill patients. Minimization of glycemic variability is therefore suggested as a new target of glycemic control, which may require very frequent or almost continuous monitoring of glucose levels. Brunner and colleagues show the use of real-time subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring does not decrease glycemic variability. Continuous glucose monitoring, however, may reveal changes in glucose complexity, which may be of interest since both increased and decreased glucose complexity is associated with higher mortality in the critically ill.
