Magnitude and associated factors of postoperative hyperglycemia among an adult nondiabetic patient who underwent surgery at 2 tertiary hospitals in Ethiopia

Background: Hyperglycemia in the postoperative period remains high in surgical patients. This study assessed the magnitude and associated factors of hyperglycemia in the postoperative period among nondiabetic adult patients who underwent elective surgery at Tikur Anbessa and Nigist Elleni Mohamed Memorial Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Materials and methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 359 nondiabetic adult patients who underwent elective surgery at Tikur Anbessa and Nigist Elleni Mohamed Memorial specialized hospitals from January 1 to March 30, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used, and quantitative data were collected through interviews and data retrieval from charts using a pretested questionnaire. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to evaluate the association between independent and dependent variables. The level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value <0.05. Result: A total of 359 patient data sets were collected with a response rate of 84%. The study revealed that 152 (42%) of the patients developed postoperative hyperglycemia. Postoperative hyperglycemia was statistically associated with age between 41 and 60 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.9, 95% CI=2.5–9.7], age above 60 (AOR=5.3, 95% CI=2.36–11.8), dexamethasone use (AOR=2.65, 95% CI=1.1-5.9), general anesthesia (AOR=5.8, 95% CI=2.5–13.59), combined general-regional anesthesia (AOR=4.8, 95% CI=1.9–8.0) were statistically associated with postoperative hyperglycemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of hyperglycemia is higher in the postoperative period. Age, type of anesthesia, type of procedure, dexamethasone use, and duration of surgery were identified as predictive factors.