Association between initial in-hospital heart rate and glycemic control in patients with acute ischemic stroke and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

BackgroundA high resting heart rate (HR) has been associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus. This study explored the association between initial in-hospital HR and glycemic control in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and diabetes mellitus.MethodsWe analyzed data from 4,715 patients with AIS and type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the Chang Gung Research Database between January 2010 and September 2018. The study outcome was unfavorable glycemic control, defined as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7%. In statistical analyses, the mean initial in-hospital HR was used as both a continuous and categorical variable. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The associations between the HR subgroups and HbA1c levels were analyzed using a generalized linear model.ResultsCompared with the reference group (HR < 60 bpm), the adjusted ORs for unfavorable glycemic control were 1.093 (95% CI 0.786–1.519) for an HR of 60–69 bpm, 1.370 (95% CI 0.991–1.892) for an HR of 70–79 bpm, and 1.608 (95% CI 1.145–2.257) for an HR of ≥ 80 bpm. Even after adjusting for possible confounders, the HbA1c levels after admission and discharge among diabetic stroke patients increased significantly in the subgroups with higher HRs (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigh initial in-hospital HR is associated with unfavorable glycemic control in patients with AIS and diabetes mellitus, particularly in those with an HR of ≥ 80 bpm, compared with those with an HR of < 60 bpm.