[Management of glucocorticoid induced hyperglycemia]

Abstract

Glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia is a frequent problem. In the general clinical practice, it may generate hospital admissions, their prolongation and repeated emergency visits without obtaining an adequate solution to the problem. Even so, this problem continues to be undervalued in terms of diagnosis, and especially, treatment. The diversity of preparations and dosing schedules of corticosteroids, and above all, the low level of involvement by the professionals who prescribe steroids and the absence of clinical studies and specific recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, contribute to this. In this paper we review the pathophysiology of glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia and propose some strategies for their management, based on the clinical situation and the predictable pattern of hyperglycemia according to the type and schedule of glucocorticoids administration.