The effect of topical steroids on blood glucose profile in diabetic patients

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Bahar I, Vinker S, Kaiserman I

J Clinic Experiment Ophthalmol. 2011;2:133. doi:10.4172/2155-9570.1000133

In 2011, researchers Bahar, Vinker, and Kaiserman investigated the correlation between the use of topical steroids and diabetic patients’ blood glucose profiles. 2,697 patients were included in the study. Results showed that fasting blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c increased by 11.6 mg/dl (from 145.8 ± 2.1 mg/dl to 157.4 ± 6.3 mg/dl) and by 0.6 (from 7.6+/-0.1% to 8.2+/-0.3%) respectively. These findings were statistically significant, proving that topical steroid use in patients with diabetes can increase blood glucose levels and disturb glycemic control.