Effect of high-dose dexamethasone on perioperative lactate levels and glucose control: a randomized controlled trial

Table 1 Postoperative glucose control, insulin requirement, and lactate level in a subgroup of patients with diabetes

Outcome measure^a	Dexamethasone (n = 62)	Placebo (n = 58)	P value
Glucose AUC₁₅ in mmol/L × hour	132.8 (16.2)	124.8 (16.5)	0.009
Glucose level in mmol/L at postoperative ICU admission	10.0 (2.5)	8.0 (2.3)	<0.001
Hyperglycemic index in mmol/L^b (cutoff >6.0 mmol/L)	2.70 (1.00)	2.21 (1.00)	0.009
Hyperglycemic index in mmol/L^c (cutoff >8.0 mmol/L)	1.14 (0.91)	0.77 (0.76)	0.017
Hypoglycemia incidence, N (%)^d	0 (0)	3 (5.2)	0.110
Lactate AUC₁₅ in mmol/L × hour	25.9 (9.7)	22.1 (16.2)	0.119
Lactate level in mmol/L at postoperative ICU admission	2.1 (1.0)	1.7 (0.7)	0.007
Insulin consumption in IU at first 15 hours of ICU admission	46.6 (22.9)	28.3 (19.7)	<0.001

To convert glucose to mg/dL, multiply by 18.02. To convert lactate to mg/dL, multiply by 9.01. ^aAll data refer to the first 15 postoperative hours and are presented as mean (standard deviation) unless otherwise indicated. ^bCalculated by dividing the part of the glucose AUC₁₅ (area under the curve in the first 15 hours of postoperative intensive care unit stay) that lies above 6.0 mmol/L by observation time. ^cCalculated by dividing the part of the glucose AUC₁₅ that lies above 8.0 mmol/L by observation time. ^dDefined as any glucose level of less than 4.0 mmol/L in the first 15 postoperative hours. ICU, intensive care unit.

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