Hyperglycemia after a stroke probably reflects the intensity of the stress hormone response. Many experimental studies have reported that elevated blood glucose concentration greatly enhances the extent and the degree of subsequent brain damage. The purpose of out study was to find out whether the blood glucose level in the first day after stroke correlated with the neurological outcome or not.
We found that blood glucose level in the first twenty-four hours showed a significant correlation with neurological outcome measured by modified Barthel index, but no correlation to cognitive capacity screening examination.
The neurological outcome of reattack cases was worse than the first attack cases. We concluded that hyperglycemia after stroke reflects a stress response to more severe brain lesions.
