GlyCon: Glycaemic Control of Stress Hyperglycaemia in ICU
Research type
Research Study
Full title
GlyCon: Glycaemic Control of Stress Hyperglycaemia Implemented in NHS Intensive Care Units
IRAS ID
129360
Contact name
Gary Adams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Research summary
Stress induced hyperglycaemia in Intensive Care Units (ICU) can be defined as the increase of glycaemic levels (blood glucose levels) above normal levels, which resolve spontaneously after dissipation of the acute illness. The threshold glycaemic levels defining stress hyperglycaemia have not been agreed. Its prevalence in the ICU can be as high as 80%. If left untreated, it can have harmful effects on patients’ health, which can even be fatal. The ideal glycaemic target has not been determined yet, and current evidence about the most effective and safest methods of glycaemic control is currently contradictory. The main aim of GlyCon is to explore the associations between the methods for glycaemic control of stress hyperglycaemia implemented in 7 NHS ICUs of a network of ICUs, and the time that their patients spend within pre-specified glycaemic ranges.
A document review of the participating ICUs’ protocols has been carried out. Subsequently, a retrospective study based on data from different types of patient records will be conducted. Records will include observation charts, patients’ notes, and the Case Mix Programme (CMP) database of the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (ICNARC), among others. Data collected will include baseline characteristics, data about glycaemic monitoring and treatment, and outcome data. The primary outcome measure will be the effectiveness of the methods for glycaemic control implemented, measured as the proportion of time spent within the glycaemic range 4-10 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes will be other measures of effectiveness, efficiency and safety. The degree of staff adherence to the specific recommendations of the protocols will also be explored.
The outcomes of GlyCon will help in the development of a standardized protocol for glycaemic control for the ICUs of the network, which will ultimately contribute to the provision of high quality evidence based healthcare in NHS ICUs.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/0177
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion