BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinopathy encountered in the perioperative period. It is a disease of glucose dysregulation and carbohydrate intolerance frequently associated with acute and long-term systemic consequences, which may significantly impact morbidity and mortality This study was performed to evaluate the effects of diabetes on perioperative patients' status.

METHODS: Thirty adults patients, 15 control and 15 diabetic patients, who underwent upper abdominal surgery with general anesthesia were included in this study. We investigated blood glucose levels, arterial blood gas, blood chemistry values, and calculated alveolar- arterial oxygen tension differences. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, paired t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.

RESULTS: The blood glucose levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group than the control group during operation. The postoperative calcium and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in the diabetic patients than the control patients. The alveolar-arterial oxygen tension differences were significantly increased in the diabetic group compared with the control group during operation.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the blood glucose levels were significantly increased in the diabetic patients compared with the control patients during operation. This finding suggests that blood glucose levels should be monitored and controlled within an adequate range in diabetic patients perioperatively.