Impact of Malglycemia on Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Cancer: A Review of the Literature

Purpose/Objectives: To examine empirical research regarding the role of malglycemia (hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, or glycemic variability) on clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with cancer.

Data Sources: Research articles were obtained from the Ovid, PubMed, and CINAHL® databases. Key words used in the search included hyperglycemia or malglycemia and neoplasm combined with venous thromboembolism, infection, or mortality.

Data Synthesis: Eleven research articles were examined reporting the impact of malglycemia on various outcomes, including infection, mortality or survival, length of hospital stay, and toxicity.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that malglycemia may have a negative impact on outcomes for hospitalized patients with cancer. Increased rates of infection, mortality, length of stay, and toxicities, as well as decreased survival, were reported.

Implications for Nursing: Oncology nurses play an important role in the identification of patients with malglycemia. Early assessment and intervention for those patients can improve outcomes and quality of life.