Risk of corticosteroid induced hyperglycaemia in malignancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a risk assessment for the Detection of corticosteroid induced hyperglycaemia in people with advanced malignancy– A Feasibility study.
IRAS ID
206741
Contact name
Roselle Herring
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Corticosteroids are frequently used to reduce swelling around a tumour or part of treatment to control sickness associated with chemotherapy. Corticosteroids can increase appetite and may result in raised blood sugar levels. This is because they make the bodies own sugar controlling hormone (insulin) less effective. Some people are more likely to be affected than others i.e. those who already have diabetes, are overweight, have diabetes in their family or developed diabetes during pregnancy. Raised sugar levels are unpleasant and make you feel thirsty, can cause blurred vision or excessively tired and frequent urination. If uncontrolled although rare may lead to life threatening hospital admission
There is a lack of evidence to suggest what is the best strategy for screening and monitoring people who develop raised sugars during treatment for an advanced malignancy. Very few diabetes units actively screen for hyperglycaemia in this patient group.Research on early detection and monitoring, together with advances in treatment this could lead to an increased survival for cancer patients who develop hyperglycaemia.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1548
Date of REC Opinion
30 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion