Relation between glycosylated hemoglobin and acute cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To investigate the differences of blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between the patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy controls, and explore the relation between HbA1c level and both neurological deficits scores and imaging of lesions in number. Methods One hundred and eighty-six patients with acute cerebral infarction within 1 week were performed neurological deficits scales after the admission; the HbA1c level was measured within 24 h admission; brain MRI scan was performed on these patients 48 h after onset or stabilization. Glucose tolerance test was taken at the rehabilitation of infarction (except for having a clear history of diabetes before). At the same time, 160 healthy controls were checked on the level of HbA1c and taken the glucose tolerance test. The differences of blood HbA1c levels between the patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy controls were investigated; and the relation between HbA1c level and both neurological deficits scores and imaging of lesions in number was explored. Results The HbA1c level in patients with acute cerebral infarction (6.982%±1.803%) was significantly higher than that in the controls (5.128%±0.592%, P<0.05). The level of HbA1c in patients with cerebral infarction and the neurological deficits scores were positively correlated (r=0.760, P<0.05). The level of HbA1c in patients with 2 lesions (6.635%±0.427%) was obviously higher than that in patients with 1 lesion (5.803%±0.307%, P<0.05); The level of HbA1c in patients with 3 or more lesions (8.571%±0.519%) was obviously higher than that in patients with 1 or 2 lesions (P<0.05). Conclusion Diabetes is a major risk factor for cerebral infarction. High HbA1c level might cause a series of cerebrovascular diseases, thus it is an important factor in the happening of cerebral infarction and HbA1c level is an important indicator of the early assessment of the severity of the diseases. The incidence of cerebral infarction can be decreased by controlling hyperglycaemia, lowering the HbA1c levels. Key words: Glycosylated hemoglobin; Cerebral infarction; Blood sugar; Diabetes