Steroid (glucocorticoids) induced hyperglycemia and diabetes

Czech version

Authors: Vladimír Uličiansky ¹; Zbynek Schroner ²
Authors‘ workplace: Via medica, s. r. o., Košice ¹; Lekárska fakulta, Univerzita Pavla Jozefa Šafárika v Košiciach ²
Published in: Diab Obez 2025; 25(2): 102-108
Category: Reviews

Overview

Steroid treatment is used to treat a variety of conditions. While steroids are prescribed for their therapeutic anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, they are associated with significant side effects including hyperglycemia. A rise in glucose related to steroid therapy occurring in people without a known diagnosis of diabetes is termed steroid induced diabetes. This may or may not resolve when the steroids are withdrawn. The use of steroid treatment in people with pre-existing diabetes will undoubtedly result in worsening glucose control; this may be termed steroid induced hyperglycemia. In this article we summarized clinical evidence in patient care impacting clinical outcome, establishment of risk factors, diagnosis, monitoring and therapeutic recommendations.

Keywords:

monitoring – therapy – practical guidelines – steroid induced diabetes – steroid induced hyperglycemia

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