Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes (GCID) in 18 non-diabetic patients before the initiation of corticosteroid therapy.

Patients and Methods: It is a retrospective study including non-diabetic hospitalized patients who developed diabetes after initiation of corticosteroid therapy.

Results: Eighteen patients (5 males/13 females) with a mean age of 59.5 years were included. A family history of diabetes was noted in 7 cases. Associated cardiovascular risk factors were hypertension in 4 patients (18%), dyslipidaemia in 3 patients (16%), obesity in 7 patients (38%). Corticosteroid therapy was initiated with methylprednisolone boli in 18% of cases. In 72% of cases, patients received oral prednisone at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day. The median time to onset of GCID was 130 days (range 3-510 days). Thirteen patients (72%) developed an early GCID (within the first 3 months). The mean dose of prednisone at the time of the diagnosis was 0.7 mg/kg/day. Of these 18 patients, 7 received insulin therapy, and 6 received oral antidiabetic drugs. Five patients were managed by a diet only. The mean glycated haemoglobin was 7.3%.

Conclusion: GCID is a common complication occurring often after the age of 55 years and within 3 months of starting corticosteroid therapy. A later onset is also possible. A high initial dose of corticosteroids increases the risk of early GCID.