Factors Contributing to Blood Glucose Elevation Associated With Olanzapine Used as an Antiemetic During Cancer Chemotherapy.

Abstract

Background/aim: This retrospective study aimed to identify factors contributing to blood glucose elevation associated with olanzapine use and to develop new strategies involving olanzapine aimed at enhancing quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Patients and methods: This study enrolled 220 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy between January 2017 and May 2022 at our outpatient chemotherapy center. Variables related to the development of olanzapine-associated blood glucose elevation were extracted from medical records for use in regression analysis. We assessed the severity of blood glucose elevation based on the most recent blood glucose level measured after the final administration of olanzapine. Random blood glucose levels were scored as follows: 0, <140 mg/dl; 1, 140-200 mg/dl; or 2, >200 mg/dl. Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential factors in the development of blood glucose elevations associated with olanzapine.

Results: Factors correlated with olanzapine-associated blood glucose elevation included pre-chemotherapy random blood glucose level (p=0.002), gastric cancer (p=0.003), and the use of calcium channel blockers (p=0.048). Although concomitant use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors showed a tendency toward an association with elevated blood glucose levels, this finding was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Identifying potential factors contributing to olanzapine-associated blood glucose elevation may assist in developing strategies to improve quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.