title: Steroid induced diabetes mellitus in patients receiving prednisolone for haematological disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Steroids are a useful component of combination chemotherapy or as a single agent in the treatment of haematological disorders even though there are adverse effects associated with its use.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report four patients who developed diabetes mellitus (DM) during treatment with steroids for haematological disorders despite a negative history of DM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 55 yrs and DM was diagnosed by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) after a cumulative steroid dose of 500-1800 mg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is necessary to have a baseline and frequent FPG in patients who are considered for combination chemotherapy which include steroid since the development of DM does not appear to be dose dependent or related to history of DM in the patient or family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kotila
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olutogun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ipadeola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: Adverse effect; Chemotherapy; Diabetes Mellitus; Haematological malignancy; Steroid