title: Divided dosing reduces prednisolone-induced hyperglycaemia and glycaemic variability: a randomized trial after kidney transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prednisolone is a major risk factor for hyperglycaemia and new-onset diabetes after transplantation. Uncontrolled observational data suggest that divided dosing may reduce requirements for hypoglycaemic agents. This study aims to compare the glycaemic effects of divided twice daily (BD) and once daily (QD) prednisolone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two kidney transplant recipients without diabetes were randomized to BD or QD prednisolone. Three weeks post-transplant, a continuous glucose monitor (iPro2(®) Medtronic) was applied for 5 days with subjects continuing their initial prednisolone regimen (Days 1-2) before crossover to the alternative regimen. Mean glucose, peak glucose, nadir glucose, exposure to hyperglycaemia (glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L) and glycaemic variability were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of subjects was 50 ± 10 years and 77% were male. Median (interquartile range) daily prednisolone dose was 25 (20, 25) mg. BD prednisolone was associated with decreased mean glucose (mean 7.9 ± 1.7 versus 8.1 ± 2.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001), peak glucose [median 10.4 (9.5, 11.4) versus 11.4 (10.3, 13.4) mmol/L, P< 0.001] and exposure to hyperglycaemia [median 25.5 (14.6, 30.3) versus 40.4 (33.2, 51.2) mmol/L/h, P = 0.003]. Median glucose peaked between 14:55-15.05 h with BD and 15:25-15:30 h with QD. Median glycaemic variability scores were decreased with BD: SD (1.1 versus 1.9, P < 0.001), mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (1.5 versus 2.2, P = 0.001), continuous overlapping net glycaemic action-1 (CONGA-1; 1.0 versus 1.2, P = 0.039), CONGA-2 (1.2 versus 1.4, P = 0.008) and J-index (25 versus 31, P = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Split prednisolone dosing reduces glycaemic variability and hyperglycaemia early post-kidney transplant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fourlanos
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Colman
authors.forename: Solomon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cohney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: hyperglycaemia; new-onset diabetes; prednisolone; transplant