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Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1389-2010
ISSN (Online): 1873-4316

General Review Article

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Induced by Glucocorticoids in Nondiabetic and Diabetic Patients: Revision of Literature and Personal Considerations

Author(s): Ceccarelli Elena*, Mattaliano Chiara, Brazzi Angelica, Marinetti A. Chiara, Nigi Laura, Chirico Chiara, Corallo Claudio, Fioravanti Antonella and Giordano Nicola

Volume 19, Issue 15, 2018

Page: [1210 - 1220] Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190102145305

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Glucocorticoids are powerful and effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. They have extensive use in the treatment of different diseases, even though their side effects, such as hypertension, osteoporosis and, in particular, diabetes, are well known. They can exacerbate hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus or facilitate the development of metabolic disease in apparently healthy subjects, the so-called steroid-induced diabetes mellitus. The last one is an independent risk factor for other complications associated with the use of glucocorticosteroids.

Objectives: We tried to clarify the physiopathology and the correct management of glucocorticoidsinduced diabetes, referring in particular to diabetic patients who have to take such drugs for long periods.

Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using Pubmed database to cover all relative reports, using combinations of keywords: diabetes mellitus, insulin, glucocorticoids therapy, dipeptidyl peptidase- 4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitor), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 receptor agonists), sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 inhibitor), hyperglycemia, glucose-lowering drugs.

Results & Conclusion: Glucocorticoids-induced diabetes is a harmful and underestimated problem when the therapeutic program is not correct and well planned. Screening or more stringent monitoring must always be suggested before starting with corticosteroids; moreover, the hypoglycemic therapy should be personalized, based on the severity of hyperglycemia, type of steroid used and patients’ comorbidities. All the oral glucose-lowering drugs can be used, but insulin is the most studied drug and the medication recommended for severe hyperglycemia, for patients with pre-existing diabetes or for those patients who have to undergo prolonged therapy over time.

Keywords: Hyperglycemia, glucocorticoids, anti-inflammatory, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, antiproliferative drugs.

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