Relationship Between Morbidity and Mortality and HbA1c Levels in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Major Surgery

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the preoperative HbA1c levels and the complications and mortality rates in the postoperative period in patients with diabetes undergoing a major surgical treatment. Study Design: Descriptive study Place and Duration of Study: Deparment of Internal Medicine, Adana Numune Research and Training Hospital, Turkey, from January 2015 to December 2016. Methodology: Diabetic patients, who underwent major surgery (a large resection) having preoperative HbA1c levels, were considered. A total of 1,013 patients, whose file data were completely accessed, were included in the study. Preoperative HbA1c levels of the patients and complications seen within the first 7 and first 30 days postoperatively were recorded. Results: Fourty-nine (4.8%) of the patients were exitus in the hospital, while 964 (95.2%) of the patients were discharged. Preoperative HbA1c levels of the patients were found to be predictive marker of mortality and complications in the first 7 and 30 days postoperatively (p <0.001). Conclusion: HbA1c levels are important in preoperative surgical risk assessment in diabetic patients. Better provision of long-term glycemic control in patients planned elective surgery and have low levels of HbA1c may significantly reduce postoperative mortality and complications.