Incidence of steroid-induced diabetes in COVID-19 patients

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic has started, glucocorticoids have been proved to be one of the most effective lifesaving treatments for respiratory complications associated with SARS CoV-2. Aim: To review the incidence of steroid induced diabetes and the associated risk factors in COVID-19 patients. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study Place and duration of the study: Bahria International Hospital Lahore from 15th April 2020 to 31st December 2020 Methodology: Two hundred and thirty patients of COVID-19 cases treated with glucocorticoids (Dexamethasone 4mg BID) were enrolled. All known cases of pre-existing diabetes mellitus and with initial (admission) random blood glucose levels of more than 200 mg/dl were excluded. Patients labelled as glucocorticoid induced diabetes mellitus (GI-DM)met the following criteria, fasting blood glucose level of more than 126 mg/dl or a random glucose level of more than 200 mg/dlon two occasions after starting these patients on steroids. Results: The glucocorticoid induced diabetes mellitus was 36 (15.65%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval (1.02-1.36) was found to be the most profound risk factor for GI-DM. Conclusion: Glucocorticoid induced diabetes mellitus found to be associated with glucocorticoid used among COVID-19 patients especially in older ages. So, it is recommended that the treating physicians should consider this side effect of steroids especially when dealing with geriatric cases. (author)