Researchers from the University of Oxford and other institutions have found that glucocorticoids (GCs), a class of drugs widely used to treat conditions like arthritis, asthma, and allergies, may increase the risk of developing diabetes after just one week of treatment.
The study, led by Dr. Riccardo Pofi and presented at The Society for Endocrinology Annual Conference, reveals that even low doses of these commonly prescribed medications can lead to changes in blood sugar metabolism that are associated with a higher risk of diabetes.
Glucocorticoids, such as prednisolone, are among the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.
While it has long been known that high doses of these drugs taken over a long period can cause metabolic side effects, including an increased risk of diabetes and obesity, this new research is the first to examine the short-term effects of GCs at the lower doses typically prescribed to patients.
In the study, healthy men were given doses of prednisolone (10 and 15mg) for just one week. The researchers monitored various metabolic markers to assess the impact of the treatment on blood sugar regulation.
Although traditional clinical measures, such as fasting blood sugar levels, weight, and general health, remained unchanged, the researchers observed significant changes in markers of metabolism that indicated impaired blood sugar regulation.
These subtle changes suggest that even short-term use of GCs at low doses may increase the risk of diabetes.
The findings underscore the importance of carefully balancing the effectiveness of GC treatment with the potential for negative metabolic effects.
While GCs are effective at reducing inflammation and treating various conditions, their impact on blood sugar metabolism, even at lower doses, could have serious long-term health implications for patients.
The researchers suggest that medical professionals should be more vigilant about monitoring these risks, not only during long-term GC therapy but even in short-term treatments.
This study highlights the need for further research to determine the safest and most effective dosages of GCs that minimize the risk of diabetes while still providing therapeutic benefits.
As GCs continue to be widely used for various medical conditions, understanding and mitigating their potential side effects will be crucial in ensuring the long-term health and well-being of patients.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin D and type2 diabetes, and to people with type 2 diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
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