Optimal initial insulin dosage for managing steroid-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A retrospective single-center study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the optimal initial insulin dosage for controlling hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients receiving steroids, an area with limited data. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 156 COVID-19 patients with steroid-induced hyperglycemia treated with insulin. Patients were categorized by their total daily dose of subcutaneous insulin therapy when starting dexamethasone ⩾6 mg/day or equivalent dose of glucocorticoid: Group A (⩽0.29 units/kg), Group B (0.3–0.49 units/kg), Group C (0.5–0.69 units/kg), and Group B (⩾0.7 units/kg). Treatment failure was defined as mean blood glucose level > 280 mg/dL for two consecutive days after initiating insulin or any blood glucose ⩾ 400 mg/dL. Results: The mean age was 64 ± 14 years, with 50% male, and a mean body mass index of 26.9 ± 6.9 kg/m2. Most had preexisting type 2 diabetes (62%). Mean admission blood glucose and HbA1c were 233 ± 112 mg/dL and 7.8 ± 2.3%, respectively. Group A had the lowest HbA1c (6.7 ± 1.2%), while group D had the highest (9.8 ± 2.5%). Median daily dexamethasone dosage or equivalent was 36 (IQR 16.72) mg, with no significant differences in among groups. Group A had the lowest treatment failure rate. There were no significant differences in treatment failure rate between Groups B, C, and D. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in mean BG across the groups: Group A 232 ± 42 mg/dL, Group B 247 ± 57 mg/dL, Group C 247 ± 61 mg/dL, and Group D 227 ± 67 mg/dL ( p = 0.2). Group D had a significantly higher rate of level 1 hypoglycemia ( p = 0.008), while no differences in clinically significant hypoglycemia (level 2 or 3) were observed between groups. Conclusions: Among patients requiring TDD ⩾ 0.3 units/kg/day, there was no significant difference in treatment failure rate between Groups B, C, and D. Group D had the highest rate of level 1 hypoglycemia. This initial insulin dosage for hospitalized COVID-19 patients on high-dose steroid therapy should be personalized.