Comparison of infusion of Propofol and Isoflurane on blood glucose level during surgery in type 2 diabetic patient

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease, known as the most common type of diabetes and is associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and insulin-dependent infertility. Isoflurane and Propofol are two commonly used drugs in anesthetics that have different effects on various systems in the body; however, limited studies have been done on the impact of these two medications on the blood glucose level in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Propofol and Isoflurane on the blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are surgical candidates.

This clinical trial study was conducted on a group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were candidates for elective surgery. Participants were selected based on the order of referral using convenience sampling method and entered the study after evaluating inclusion and exclusion criteria. First, patients' demographic data were recorded and then they were randomly divided into two groups to receive Isoflurane and Propofol. The vital signs of the patients were recorded before and during anesthesia every 15 minutes. Blood glucose levels were measured by the glucose meter before surgery and one hour after the start of the anesthetic maintenance.

There was no significant difference between the mean blood glucose level before surgery and at the end of recovery in any of the study groups. Moreover, the mean of blood glucose level before the surgery and at the end of recovery and the difference in the mean of blood glucose level in both groups of Isoflurane and Propofol in different time intervals were not significantly different (P< 0.05). Comparison of blood glucose level before and after surgery in each group showed that there was no significant difference in the level of glucose before and after the surgical operation in the Isoflurane group (P= 0.3), but in the Propofol group, the level of blood glucose had decreased significantly after the surgical operation (P= 0.014).

Maintenance of anesthesia with Propofol in comparison with the inhaled Isoflurane during the surgical operation can lead to a reduction in the blood glucose levels after the surgery compared to the preoperative state.