Anesth Pain Med.  2008 Jan;3(1):44-48.

Effects of Steroid Administration on the Blood Glucose Level during Spine Surgery in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

• Kim HJ
• Kim DW
• Kim BS
• Kim KN
• Shim JC
• Suh JK
• Yi HJ
• Ryu KH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The risk of steroid-induced hyperglycemia is debated, and methylprednisolone is still used during spinal surgery. We have compared the blood glucose level in patients with metabolic syndrome treated with or without methylprednisolone.
METHODS
This study was conducted in 68 adult patients who underwent elective spine surgery. Patients were classified into the following groups: methylprednisolone group (n = 39, group M), placebo group (n = 29, group P), group M patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 17, group MM), and group P patients without metabolic syndrome (n = 21, group NMP). Before and after injection of either 125 mg methylprednisolone or a placebo, we consecutively checked the blood glucose level every 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
RESULTS
The blood glucose level was significantly increased in group M patients as compared to group P patients. The blood glucose level was more significantly increased in group MM as compared to group NMP patients. The increased blood glucose levels over 4 hours were 50 mg/dl in group MM and 35 mg/dl in group NMP patients.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend that close monitoring of the blood glucose level up to several hours after injection of a steroid should be seriously considered during spine surgery, particularly in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Keyword

blood glucose; methylprednisolone; spine surgery

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blood Glucose
Humans
Hyperglycemia
Methylprednisolone
Spine
Blood Glucose
Methylprednisolone