Effect of dexamethasone eyedrops on blood glucose profile.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone eyedrops on blood glucose.


METHODS
Two hundred eighty-five patients who underwent cataract surgery were prospectively randomized to receive treatment with topical dexamethasone or diclofenac for 1 month. A capillary blood sample was collected before surgery, immediately after, 1 week later, and 1 month later.


RESULTS
A significant increase in blood glucose levels was noted only in the diabetic dexamethasone group, from 170 +/- 55.5 (mg/dl) before surgery to 229 +/- 76.8 (mg/dl) 1 month later (p = 0.05, 95% confidence interval of -13 to -83.2). The latter level was significantly higher than the 1-month level in the diabetic patients treated with diclofenac drops (198.4 +/- 66.5 mg/dl, p = 0.038).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative dexamethasone eyedrops have a greater effect on the blood glucose profile of diabetic patients than on nondiabetic patients. Clinicians should be alerted to this risk and may initiate appropriate follow-up in this patient subgroup.
Bahar
Irit
I
Department of Ophthalmoogy, Golda Campus, Petah Tiqwa 14900, Israel. iritbahar@yahoo.com
Rosenblat
Irit
I
Erenberg
Miriam
M
Eldar
Ido
I
Gaton
Dan
D
Avisar
Rahamim
R
Weinberger
Dov
D
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002196:Capillaries; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011182:Postoperative Care
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001786:Blood Glucose; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; D003907:Dexamethasone