Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids Associated with Increased Diabetes Risk

Corticosteroids are a class of drugs that are closely related to cortisol, a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. This medication is used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, poison ivy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rashes, Crohn’s Disease, lupus, polymyositis, scleroderma and vasculitis.

A recent study associated inhaled corticosteroids, which are primarily used to treat asthma and COPD, with the development and progression of diabetes mellitus. Patients on corticosteroid treatment experience a higher risk of developing type2 diabetes. Corticosteroids can induce insulin resistance and increase Glucagon secretion from the pancreas. The drug elevates the blood glucose levels, especially when taken for more than a few days.

Study Links Inhaled Corticosteroids with Elevated Risk of Diabetes

The researchers examined the data of over 380,000 patients from the Quebec health insurance databases, who were treated for respiratory ailments (COPD or asthma). The participants were followed up for a period of five and a half years. It was observed that nearly 30,167 subjects developed diabetes and another 2,099 progressed from oral hypoglycemic therapy to insulin treatment during the follow-up period.

The researchers found that the inhaled corticosteroids can cause a 34% elevation in the rate of diabetes onset and diabetes progression. Moreover, the highest inhaled doses can increase the risk of diabetes onset by 64% and diabetes progression by 54%.

The research findings are especially important for patients suffering from COPD because over 70% of the COPD patients use inhaled corticosteroids to fight their disease.

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