Prognostic Value of Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio in Critically Ill Patients

Critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) frequently develop elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) as a result of acute illness-related stress, even if they do not have diabetes. While high blood glucose in the ICU is known to be associated with complications such as acute kidney injury and increased mortality, absolute glucose measurements alone may not distinguish acute stress from pre-existing chronic elevation.

The Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio (SHR) evaluates the relative increase in blood glucose by dividing admission plasma glucose by the patient's estimated background average glucose derived from glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This measurement reflects the intensity of acute physiologic stress adjusted for baseline glycemic control.

The purpose of this prospective observational study is to evaluate the prognostic utility of admission Stress Hyperglycemia Ratio in adult critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units of Assiut University Hospitals. The study aims to determine whether admission SHR can predict in-hospital ICU mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), the severity of acute organ failure measured by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, the requirement and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support, and the overall length of ICU stay.

All participants will receive standard clinical care in accordance with institutional ICU protocols; no experimental drugs or clinical interventions will be administered as part of this study.