The effect of intra-articular injection of betamethasone acetate/betamethasone sodium phosphate on blood glucose levels in controlled diabetic patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.
To evaluate the effect of intra-articular steroid injection (IASI) of betamethasone acetate/betamethasone sodium phosphate (Celestone Chronodose) at the knee joint on blood glucose and fructosamine levels in controlled diabetic patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Controlled diabetic patients (HgA1C < 7) with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee who failed medical and physical therapy and use modern versions of home-monitoring blood glucose devices were offered an IASI of Celestone Chronodose at the knee joint. If agreed, patients were asked to document blood glucose levels before and 2 h after meals for 1 week prior to IASI and daily for 4 days then every other day for 10 days following IASI of 1 ml of Celestone Chronodose. Serum fructosamine levels were obtained just prior and 2 weeks following the injection. Six patients completed the study and all had a significant brisk elevation of blood glucose levels within the first hour lasting for less than 48 h in five of them. Mean glucose level 1 h following the injection was 218.33 +/- 41.75 mg% and mean maximal level 322.5 +/- 67.75 mg%. There was no significant change in fructosamine levels. IASI of Celestone Chronodose will transiently increase blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. It has no significant effect on serum fructosamine levels.
Habib
George
G
Rheumatology Clinic, Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth, Israel. gshabib62@yahoo.com
Safia
Ahmed
A
D000368:Aged; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019270:Fructosamine / Q000097:blood; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019270:Fructosamine; C018230:betamethasone acetate phosphate; C028994:betamethasone sodium phosphate; D001623:Betamethasone