STEROID-INDUCED GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE IN CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOUS

Steroids are the cornerstone in treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Steroids are used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Although, they are known to cause serious adverse effects including glucose intolerance.
The mechanisms by which steroid-induced glucose intolerance (SIGI) include: increased gluconeogenesis in the liver, reduced glucose uptake in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction.
The exact prevalence of SIGI in patients on chronic steroid therapy is unknown. The prevalence was reported to vary between 0% and 65% and several risk factors for the developing SIGI have been identified.
THE AIM OF THIS WORK
The aim of this work was to study steroid-induced glucose intolerance in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus on long term steroid treatment and to determine the risk factors associated with development of steroid-induced glucose intolerance.
SUBJECTS
Subjects were recruited directly from outpatient Pediatric Nephrology Clinic. Sixty children aged from 2 to 18 years were enrolled; including 2 groups: thirty patients with INS and thirty patients with SLE on long-term steroids use for at least 6 months.