Abstract

COMPARISON OF STEROIDS IN DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERGLYCAEMIA

Jiji Alfred*

Abstract

Steroids are group of drugs which are chemically related to hormones produced by adrenal glands in response to adrenocorticotropic hormones. Glucocorticoids are commonly prescribed by primary care physicians and specialists for various multiple acute as well as chronic disease, since its introduction from 1950’s. The prospective study was aimed to assess the occurrence and outcome of steroid induced hyperglycaemia in a tertiary care hospital. This study also evaluate risk factors causing steroid induced hyperglycaemia, relationship between route of administration of steroids and hyperglycaemia and also assess the type of steroids and its hyperglycaemic effect. In the total study population (n=300), 66% of patients (n=199) developed hyperglycaemia following steroid administration. In this study BMI and dose were found to be significant risk factors in the development of hyperglycaemia following steroid therapy. Increased age shows considerable risk for development of hyperglycaemia. Route of administration of steroids doesn’t have any influence on the development of hyperglycaemia. There was no sufficient guidance regarding adjustment of corticosteroids to various disease conditions and co-morbidities and so there exist variation in treatment duration. Physicians need to be aware that corticosteroids can increase blood glucose, worsen pre-existing diabetes and predispose to diabetes mellitus. The glycaemic imbalance may lead to development of diabetes mellitus and increases coronary risk, so patients on long-term steroid treatment should be monitored at regular intervals. Numerous undesirable side effects were associated with corticosteroids and so differences in prescribing may be relevant.

Keywords: Steroid, Diabetes, Hyperglycaemia.