Postoperative Glycemic Variability in Nondiabetic Patients after Regional Anaesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Perioperative hyperglycemia, defined as blood glucose >140 mg/dL, is a common complication even among nondiabetic patients and is associated with adverse outcomes. Objective: To assess the postoperative glycemic variability in nondiabetic patients after regional anesthesia and to explore the associations with demographic and clinical variables. Methodology: This prospective observational study enrolled 100 nondiabetic patients undergoing elective surgeries under regional anesthesia. Capillary blood glucose (CBG), mean arterial pressure, and pain scores were recorded at three time points: preoperatively, immediate postoperatively, and 6 h postoperatively. Associations with age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and surgery type were analyzed. Results: At 6 h postoperatively, 41% of patients demonstrated CBG >140 mg/dL. A statistically significant association was found between elevated CBG and both age ( P < 0.001, r = 0.35) and BMI ( P = 0.007, r = 0.28). Conclusion: Postoperative glycemic variability is significant among nondiabetic patients, particularly those who are older or have higher BMI. Routine postanesthesia care unit glucose monitoring should be considered for at-risk patients to optimize outcomes.