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Table 2 Episodes of blood glucose levels below the lower limit

From: Differential temporal profile of lowered blood glucose levels (3.5 to 6.5 mmol/l versus 5 to 8 mmol/l) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Survival status Parameters Blood glucose 3.5 to 6.5 mmol/l Blood glucose 5 to 8 mmol/l
Survived Blood glucose (mmol/l; median [range]) 3.2 (0.7–3.4); NS 3.5 (1.5–3.9)
  Blood glucose < lower limit (n [%]) 47/85 (55%)* 24/92 (26%)
  Episodes (median [range]) 1 (1–6) 1 (1–11)
  Time point of occurrence (%)   
     Week 1 55%* 28%
     Week 2 24% 36%
     Week 3 21% 36%
Died Blood glucose (mmol/l; median [range]) 2.7 (0.6–3.4); NS 3.7 (3.1–3.9)
  Blood glucose < lower limit (n [%]) 12/29 (41%)* 6/22 (27%)
  Episodes (median [range]) 1.5 (1–6) 1.5 (1–3)
  Time point of occurrence (%)   
     Week 1 95%* 50%
     Week 2 5% 30%
     Week 3 0 20%
  1. Shown are episodes of blood glucose levels below the lower limit in surviving patients and those who died within predefined blood glucose groups. Decreased blood glucose was predominantly encountered in the low blood glucose group during the first week. *P < 0.05, Whitney- Mann rank-sum test. NS, not significant.
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Critical Care

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