There are no guidelines for the management of glucocorticoid- (henceforth steroid) induced elevated blood sugars (henceforth hyperglycemia). Oncology ward patients have particularly high rates of hyperglycemia and are frequently exposed to high dose steroid therapy. A prior study by Muthala et al. (unpublished data) found a relationship between insulin requirements needed to maintain normal blood sugars, patient weight, and mg of steroid administered. In this pilot study, through an endocrine consult team, a weight-based, steroid dose-based insulin protocol will be implemented for the management of hyperglycemia in lymphoma patients requiring high dose steroid therapy, with the goal of reducing hyperglycemia incidence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
Within 24 hours of admission for diabetic participants, the inpatient oncology team will consult the endocrine team to apply the following part of the protocol, confirm NPH insulin dosing, and ensure that oral hypoglycemics are held. The following basal-bolus protocol is standard of care for inpatient diabetics requiring insulin at Barnes Jewish Hospital. The alternative practice has been to use 60-80% of the home insulin regimen while patients are hospitalized. For patients using home insulin, the admitting oncology team will enact one of these methods while awaiting the endocrine service's formal recommendations. * Determine basal-bolus insulin requirement for the patient based on body weight: Patient weight (kg) x 0.5-0.7 Units/kg = Units of total insulin per 24 hours * The TDD can be divided into 50% basal (glargine) and 50% meal time (lispro) insulin, plus sliding scale insulin (lispro).
Washington University in St. Louis
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Incidence of hyperglycemia
Defined as blood glucose \> 180 mg/dL. This will be measured as the % of patient-days with a blood sugar \> 180 mg/dL.
Time frame: up to 5 days of hospital course
Incidence of severe hyperglycemia
Defined as blood glucose \> 299 mg/dL. This will be measured as the % of patient-days with a blood sugar \> 299 mg/dL.
Time frame: up to 5 days of hospital course
Incidence of hypoglycemia
Defined as blood glucose \< 70 mg/dL. This will be measured as the % of patient-days with a blood sugar \< 70 mg/dL.
Time frame: up to 5 days of hospital course
Incidence of severe hypoglycemia
Defined as blood glucose \< 40 mg/dL. This will be measured as the % of patient-days with a blood sugar \< 40 mg/dL.
Time frame: up to 5 days of hospital course
Remission of primary oncologic diagnosis at one year
Time frame: 1 year
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