Steroid Treatment Linked to Increased Risk ​of Developing Diabetes

A recent study conducted by ​the⁤ University of Oxford in the UK has found that ​receiving steroid treatment more⁤ than doubles the ​risk of developing‌ diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from 450,000 patients, revealed that the ⁣risk of developing diabetes in patients who received steroid treatment was ‌up to 2.6 times higher‌ than in patients who did not receive the ⁢treatment.

Steroids are commonly used‌ to treat inflammatory or autoimmune diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. ​However, some ⁢small studies have reported ‌that steroids have the side effect of⁣ increasing blood sugar levels⁢ and may cause diabetes.

The research team,​ led‌ by Professor Rajna Golubic of⁢ Oxford Medical School, conducted a‍ controlled clinical ‍trial on 450,000 patients who ⁤visited Oxford University Hospital between January‌ 2013⁤ and October 2023. The⁢ study found that among‌ the 17,258 patients who received steroid treatment, 316‌ patients ‌(1.8%)​ developed diabetes, ​compared to 3,430 patients (0.8%) who did not receive steroid treatment.

When all other factors such⁣ as age and gender were removed,‌ the risk of​ developing diabetes in patients who received steroid treatment was found to be ⁢significantly higher than in ⁤patients who did not receive the treatment. Professor ⁢Golubic‍ emphasized the importance⁣ of considering⁤ these​ side‍ effects when prescribing steroids, stating that “medical ‌professionals need to ⁢fully⁢ consider these‍ side effects when​ prescribing ⁣steroids.”

Key Findings:

• Receiving ⁢steroid ⁣treatment more ‍than doubles the risk of developing diabetes.
• The risk⁤ of developing diabetes in patients‍ who received steroid treatment was‍ up to⁣ 2.6 times ​higher ⁣than in patients who did‌ not receive the treatment.
• Steroids are ⁣commonly used to treat inflammatory or autoimmune diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.