Markers of hyperglycemia in the vitreous humor. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Vitreous humor has been extensively used in forensic practice to assess hyperglycemia after death. The results from different articles, for various hyperglycemia markers are highly variable, and a systematic analysis of the results from studies currently used in forensic practice as landmarks has not yet been performed. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate to usefulness and limits of using the values of vitreous glucose, lactic acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and 1,5 Anhydro-d-glucitol to detect postmortem hyperglycemia. Materials and methods For this purpose, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis using the random-effects model to identify the threshold values and average differences for the markers mentioned above in the vitreous humor of diabetic versus nondiabetic subjects. Results We included eleven studies in the meta-analysis and found the following mean differences between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups: for glucose – 91.4 mg/dl, for lactate - 34.17 mg/dl, for the Traub formula – 111 mg/dl, for fructosamine – 0.71 mmol/L, for beta-hydroxybutyrate - 36.55 mg/dl and 1,5 Anhydro-d-glucitol - −15.2 mg/dl. We also gave practical recommendations, based on the range of values and 95% confidence intervals in normal subjects and controls to identify antemortem hyperglycemia and evaluated, whenever possible, threshold values for fatal diabetes. Conclusions Glucose, Traub formula, fructosamine, and beta-hydroxy-butyrate can be used to detect postmortem hyperglycemia with some limitations; 1,5 Anhydro-d-glucitol can only be used to suggest the absence of a hyperglycemic status before death.