Effects of single dose of dexamethasone on perioperative blood glucose levels in patients undergoing surgery for supratentorial tumors – An observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Dexamethasone is commonly administered in intracranial tumors to reduce the cerebral edema. Its administration may be associated with hyperglycemia. The primary objective of this study was to study the magnitude of rise in blood sugar levels following the administration of a single 10 mg dose of dexamethasone. Methods: Seventy patients who underwent various neurosurgical procedures were enrolled in the study. Group D ( n = 35 undergoing surgery for intracranial tumors) were administered injection dexamethasone 10 mg while as Group P ( n = 35 undergoing surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage) received placebo. Blood samples were obtained through the arterial line at baseline (before dexamethasone administration), 60, 120, 180, and 240 min after the dexamethasone administration and blood glucose concentrations noted. Results: Glucose concentrations were significantly increased in patients who received dexamethasone compared with those who received placebo ( P < 0.05). Blood glucose concentrations at different time intervals were greater when compared with the baseline blood sugar levels in both the placebo and dexamethasone group ( P < 0.05). The arterial blood glucose concentration in those who received 10 mg dexamethasone ( n = 35) increased from 95.29 ± 13.69 mg.dl −1 to 139.97 ± 10.34 mg.dl −1 over 4 h, compared with a change from 94.74 ± 10.05 mg.dl −1 to 122.34 ± 10.68 mg.dl −1 in those who received placebo ( n = 35) ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The administration of a single intravenous dose of 10-mg dose dexamethasone caused a significant increase in the blood glucose concentrations at different point intervals when compared with the placebo over a 4-h period. We recommend intensive monitoring of the blood sugar levels during the intraoperative period to prevent the development of severe hyperglycemia and its associated complications.

Effect of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on glycaemic profile in postoperative patients - A double-blind randomised controlled study

“…showed a statistically significant increase in intraoperative blood glucose levels over a 4 h period in patients receiving a single dose of dexamethasone at the time of induction. [ 12 ] Data similar to ours were reported by Tien et al . who studied the effect of dexamethasone given preoperatively on the blood glucose profiles of diabetic and non-diabetic patients.…”

The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of cerebral edema for glioma tumour patients: Pro and Contra

“…Как выявлено в недавнем исследовании Z. Ali и соавт., уровень глюкозы у пациентов с первичными опухолями ГМ (n = 35) повышался в среднем на 30 % уже при первом использовании ДМ в дозе 10 мг [69]. R. L. Derr и соавт.…”