Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on the glycemic profile in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The administration of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) might cause dose-dependent hyperglycemia and poorer glycemic control in patients with earlier diagnosed carbohydrate metabolism disorders. However, not in all patients, ICS affects glycated hemoglobin, the main marker of diabetes mellitus. Objective: to assess the effect of ICS on the glycemic profile of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). We demonstrated how ICS can affect the glycemic profile in DM1 patients on the example of two cases. ICS can cause short-term increase in blood glucose in some DM1 patients, comparable to postprandial levels; however, ICS does not compromise glycemic control. Nevertheless, such cases have to be managed by a pulmonologist and a pediatric endocrinologist for individual correction of therapy. Key words: type 1 diabetes mellitus, children, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchial obstruction, carbohydrate metabolism, glycemic profile