Glycosylated hemoglobin level in patients with and without surgical site infection after hysterectomy

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) occurs in 11-12% of surgeries. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has been found to be significantly elevated in those who presented infection. Objective: To compare the concentration of HbA1c between patients with and without SSI after hysterectomy. Method: In healthy, postoperative women with total abdominal (open) hysterectomy, the HbA1c serum concentration was measured (normal <5.7%) and the difference between those who presented SSI and other risk factors for SSI were compared with Mann Whitney U test was used. The HbA1c values were stratified as normal or abnormal and were contrasted with the presence or absence of SSI by means of X2. Results: 27 women without SSI and 20 with SSI were studied. The preoperative glucose was and 88 (70-99) mg/dl and 86 (70-99) mg/dl for the groups with and without SSI respectively. The HbA1c was significantly higher in the group with ISQ 5.6% (5-8) vs. 6.5% (5.2-8.2). The sensitivity of HbA1c with cut point <5.7 was 80% and the specificity was 51.9%. Conclusion: HbA1c can serve as a prognostic criterion of ISQ.