Correlation between CSF Glucose Level and Outcome on Adult Patients with Meningitis

Abstract

Background: Meningitis is an inflammatory response to infection of leptomeningeal cells and subarachnoid space. The severity of the inflammation could be reflected on the CSF glucose level. The purpose of this study is to prove that there was a correlation between CSF glucose level and outcome on patients with meningitis. Method: A cohort retrospective study conducted by reviewing medical records of patients with meningitis admitted at dr. Kariadi General Hospital in Semarang from January 2003 to December 2007. The data includes CSF glucose level, classified as high (≥50 mg/dl) or low (<50 mg/dl) and outcomes, classified as unfavorable (defined by a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 to 4 points at discharge) or favorable (a score of 5). In this study meningitis was assesed globally and not separated based on the causative organism. Results: 46 meningitis patients were included in this study, 19.6% was discharged with favorable outcome (mean CSF glucose level 54.33±22.26) and 80.4% unfavorable outcome (mean CSF glucose level 45.57±27.00). Fisher’s exact test showed that there was no significant correlation between CSF glucose level and outcomes (p=1.000). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between CSF glucose level and outcome on patients with meningitis. Keywords: Meningitis, CSF glucose level