Myocardial Infarction and Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with acute myocardial infarction and to determine whether casual blood glucose measured at admission could be used to diagnose diabetes mellitus. It was prospective study that included all patients with acute myocardial infarction during a one year period at a Coronary Care Unit. Of 205 patients included in the study, 185 could be classified into three groups; 21% of these had previously diagnosed diabetes, 4% had newly diagnosed diabetes and remaining patients were categorized as non-diabetic. Casual blood glucose >11.1 mmol are admission was found in 12 patients with no previously known diabetes but diabetes mellitus was confirmed in only six of these patients. One of four patients with acute myocardial infarction had diabetes mellitus. Increased casual blood glucose at admission was not reliable to establish a diagnosis of diabetes and thus follow up measures are necessary.