Glucocorticoids (GC) represent therapeutic agents of great importance in the treatment and prophylaxis of multiple inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions. Despite their efficacy, the use of GCs is associated with a variety of side effects, one of the immediate ones being the development of glucocorticoids induced hyperglycemia.
GCs decrease peripheral insulin sensitivity, increase hepatic gluconeogenesis, trigger insulin resistance, as well as inhibit pancreatic insulin production.(\[1\] It has been shown that acute and chronic hyperglycemia that are present in many cases in the hospital setting are important risk factors for prolonged hospital stays, infectious complications, poorer surgical outcomes, and increased mortality.
In-hospital glucocorticoid induced hyperglycemia is usually managed with optimization of oral anti-diabetic drugs and basal bolus insulin, which has been well established over sliding scale insulin as the preferred regimen for GIH. Through this study we aim to compare to different basal insulins, glargine and degludec in terms of their efficacy and safety (hypoglycemic events) in this setting.