Impact of corticosteroid injection on glucose in frozen shoulder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Frozen Shoulder: A pragmatic replicated N-of-1 case series investigating glucose levels and patient reported outcomes following a corticosteroid injection.
IRAS ID
292318
Contact name
Christine Bilsborough Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 29 days
Research summary
Diabetes is on the increase globally and is a risk factor for frozen shoulder. Along with this increase, is a concomitant increase in the number of people with prediabetes, with many risk factors to developing diabetes within the non-diabetic population too.
A corticosteroid injection is considered one of the initial and most beneficial treatments for frozen shoulder in the early painful phase of the condition, however, corticosteroids may increase blood glucose levels. This may be problematic for people with diabetes, prediabetes and normo-glycaemic individuals at risk of diabetes.
The impact of corticosteroid injections is better understood in those with diabetes and less so in individuals without diabetes. This is important to understand as some may be at risk of developing diabetes, such as an inactive lifestyle, obesity, age and ethnicity. This will address any potential harms or adverse effects in a cohort where glucose levels are more stable. A pragmatic replicated N-of-1 case series is the study design that will be used to investigate the outcomes of interest.
The primary outcome measure is glucose levels in people with frozen shoulder, following a corticosteroid injection. A continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM) which is placed on the upper arm, will collect continuous glucose levels, via an application (app) that will be downloaded to a smartphone and linked to a website. Secondary outcome measures will include a range of clinical, physiological, and psychosocial outcomes.
The objective is to provide both clinicians and patients with a better understanding of the effects of corticosteroid injection in people without diabetes and places patient safety at the centre of care. This study will provide valuable data for future studies using larger sample size with prediabetes.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0790
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion