Investigating the Relationship between Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels and Surgical Complications in Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications and mortality. However, there are different opinions about the relationship between the increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and the incidence of surgical complications.

In this retrospective study, 189 diabetic patients referred to Sabalan Hospital in Ardabil who were admitted for surgery were examined in 2021. The data related to demographic information, HbA1c test, postoperative complications, and the outcome of patients’ hospitalization were extracted from the records and entered into the researcher-made checklist. Patients were divided into two groups of uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c of 7 and above and the controlled diabetes group with HbA1c below 7.

Out of 189 patients included in the study, 97 patients were in the uncontrolled diabetes group, and 92 patients were in the controlled diabetes group. The average age of diabetic patients in uncontrolled and controlled diabetes groups was 58.18±8.91 and 61.84±5.52, respectively. According to the results, surgical site infection and the need for re-surgery during hospitalization showed a significant relationship with an HbA1c level (p≤0.05). Other postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups.

It seems logical that elective surgeries should be postponed in HbA1c levels higher than 7% because the presence of high HbA1c levels indicates that the patient’s diabetes is not under control, and as a result, there is a higher probability of chronic complications of diabetes as well as a higher risk for post-operative complications.