Diabetes mellitus is associated with worse long-term functional outcomes in primary intracerebral hemorrhage survivors – A prospective study

Objective

Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 85 % of ICH and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identification of prognostic factors is critical to its management. However, previous studies showed conflicting results in whether diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with outcomes among ICH patients. The present study examined the association between DM and long-term functional outcomes prospectively after ICH.

Design

This prospective study examined the functional outcomes in primary ICH patients. This study excluded patients who died before discharge and those with ICH related to aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or trauma. Patients were followed up for 1 year after ICH. Functional outcome was based on the Barthel Index (BI). Severe dependency in ADL was defined by a BI of ≤60, and functional independence was defined by a BI of >90.

Results

A total of 100 patients completed the 1-year follow-up, and 24 patients had DM. DM was significantly associated with worse functional outcomes 1 year post-ICH. The association remained significant after adjusting for baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and ICH score.

Conclusion

DM was an independent predictor of worse functional outcomes 1 year post-ICH. This study is the first to examine the effect of DM on long-term functional outcomes after ICH.