Is This Common Treatment Raising Your Diabetes Risk?

If you’ve ever faced the challenge of managing diabetes, you know just how overwhelming it can be.

You’d do just about anything to get it under control or, if you’re prediabetic, to avoid it altogether.

With diabetes, every decision matters—what you eat, how you exercise, and even the medications you take.

That’s why we need to tell you about some alarming new research surrounding diabetes and a common treatment you might not expect…

A recent study from the University of Oxford has revealed that even short-term use of systemic glucocorticoids—the type of steroids commonly given during hospital stays for conditions like inflammation—may significantly raise your risk of developing new-onset diabetes.

According to the study, people who received systemic glucocorticoids during hospital stays were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to those who didn’t.

The study analyzed the medical records of over 450,000 patients, finding that about 1.8% of those who received steroids developed diabetes, while only 0.8% of those who didn’t receive steroids developed the condition.

The short hospital stays—often just three days—might seem insignificant, but the effects of steroids were clear. Patients who received systemic glucocorticoids were 2.6 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who didn’t, even after adjusting for factors like age and sex.

For years, we’ve known that steroids can be a lifesaver when it comes to managing acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. And they’re commonly prescribed for respiratory issues, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other conditions.

But this new research builds on previous studies and underscores the serious risks associated with these drugs.

The findings are especially concerning because they highlight the potential for diabetes to develop even after a short course of steroid treatment.

According to Dr. Rajna Golubic, lead researcher of the study, this data provides a clear picture of how much more likely people treated with systemic glucocorticoids are to develop diabetes.

We’re not saying to avoid steroids altogether—they can be a critical part of managing inflammation and other individual medical issues. But it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks and to talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage these risks if you’re prescribed steroids.

Here are a few things to consider if you need to take steroids for any reason:

Ask your doctor about alternatives: If possible, ask whether there are non-steroid alternatives that could work for your condition.

Monitor your blood sugar: If you’re on steroids, especially systemic glucocorticoids, keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, especially if you’re prediabetic.

Follow up with your healthcare provider: Stay in close contact with your doctor after completing steroid treatment to ensure your blood sugar stays within a healthy range.

While steroids may be necessary for certain individuals, it’s important to be cautious—especially if you’re already at risk for diabetes.

Understanding the potential risks can help you make the best decisions for your health and, if needed, ask your doctor about alternative treatments that won’t jeopardize your long-term well-being.

To staying informed and protecting your health,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

P.S. On corticosteroids? Big Pharma wants you to also take this diabetes drug.

Sources:

Kerry Dooley Young. (2024, September 17). Short Steroid Treatment May Raise Diabetes Risk: Study. Medscape; Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/short-steroid-treatment-may-raise-diabetes-risk-study-2024a1000guh