Intensive versus nonintensive insulin therapy for hyperglycemia after traumatic brain injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Hyperglycemia after traumatic brain injury is a physiological and metabolic disorder that may further aggravate secondary injury to the brain. Various experiences in the effective treatment of hyperglycemia after traumatic brain injury have been described. For example, the early use of intensive insulin therapy can control the blood glucose concentration within the target range, which has a direct protective effect on severe traumatic brain injury. However, some studies have arrived at different conclusions. Therefore, we aim to verify the therapeutic efficacy of intensive insulin therapy versus nonintensive insulin therapy on hyperglycemia after severe traumatic brain injury. Methods/Design: A randomized, controlled, double-blind study has been designed for completion at Oriental Hospital of Lianyungang, China. Sixty patients with hyperglycemia after severe closed traumatic brain injury will be randomized into an intensive insulin therapy group and a nonintensive insulin therapy group. The intensive insulin therapy group will then be divided into three subgroups based on the following target blood glucose levels: 4.4-7.0 mM (strict control group), 7.1-10.0 mM (moderate control group), and 10.1- 3.0 mM (slight control group). In the intensive insulin therapy group, the blood glucose levels will be monitored and controlled using the Yale Insulin Infusion Protocol, and a micropump will be used for intravenous injection of insulin. The nonintensive insulin therapy group will be given subcutaneous insulin injections. The primary endpoint will be the blood glucose levels, and the secondary endpoints will be mortality, activities of daily living, and prognosis. Discussion: This study will be powered to confirm the advantages of intensive insulin therapy in controlling blood glucose levels, reducing mortality, and improving prognosis in patients with hyperglycemia after severe traumatic brain injury. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02161055; registered on 5 June 2014.