Work

Diabetes prolongs hospitalization and increases infection, cerebral edema, and neurological complications in meningioma patients: A retrospective study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND Diabetes is linked to extended hospitalization and a heightened risk of complications in multiple surgical settings. However, its precise influence on outcomes in patients undergoing meningioma resection is still inadequately comprehended. AIM To determine if diabetes prolongs hospital stay and elevates the risk of infection, cerebral edema, and neurological complications in patients undergoing meningioma resection. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 516 primary meningioma patients who underwent surgical resection between January 2018 and January 2022. Patients were categorized into non-diabetes (n = 411) and diabetes (n = 105) groups according to a clinical history of type 2 diabetes for a minimum of 6 months preceding diagnosis. The collected data encompassed baseline demographics, perioperative variables, blood glucose levels, inflammatory markers, brain edema grading, Karnofsky Performance Status, length of stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS Significant differences in glycated hemoglobin levels were observed, with elevated values in the diabetes group (P < 0.05). The diabetes group exhibited higher rates of secondary or tertiary wound healing complications due to infection, lower postoperative albumin, higher postoperative platelet counts, white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein levels, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (all P < 0.05). The diabetes group exhibited higher incidence of postoperative cerebral edema (P = 0.015), lower postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status scores (P = 0.011), longer hospital stays (P < 0.001), and longer intensive care unit stays (P < 0.001). Additionally, the diabetes group exhibited higher rates of seizures (P = 0.003) and wound infections (P < 0.001) and more complications (P < 0.001). Long-term outcomes showed higher tumor recurrence (P = 0.004) and mortality rates (P = 0.036) in the diabetes group, corroborated by Cox regression analysis as independent risk factors (recurrence: Adjusted hazard ratio = 8.92, P = 0.009; mortality: Adjusted hazard ratio = 10.12, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION Diabetes markedly extends hospital stay and elevates the risk of infection, cerebral edema, and neurological complications in patients with meningioma, underscoring the necessity for meticulous perioperative management and long-term follow-up for diabetic individuals undergoing meningioma surgery.

Source: World Journal of Diabetes

DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i2.112856

Authors: Yu-Fu Zhang, Wei Ma, Long Chen, Shu-Kai Sun, Li Gao

Institutions: Tang Du Hospital, Air Force Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Meningioma and schwannoma management

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fourth Military Medical University