Hemoglobin a1c levels in children with asthma using low dose inhaled corticosteroids.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Steroids may raise the blood glucose levels as a systemic effect. Due to this, the potential effect of prophylactic use of inhaled steroids (ICS) on HbA1c levels in children with asthma was investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. ? SETTING: Outpatient department. PARTICIPANTS: 141 children with asthma but without diabetes (study group) and 52 children without diabetes or asthma (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: HbA1c levels. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group (n=141) was 6.6?3.0 years and comprised 70 females (50% of the group) and 71 males. The mean age of the control group (n=52) was 7.1?3.0 years, and comprised 24 females (46%) and 28 males (54%). Age and sex differences between the groups were not significant. The mean HbA1c value was 5.44?0.75% among the children with asthma and 5.14?0.41% in the control group. HbA1c levels in children with asthma was significantly higher than the control group (P=0.006). No significant correlation was found between cumulative dose of ICS and HbA1c levels. Similarly, levels of HbA1c did not change with increased time of usage of ICS (P=0.96). CONCLUSION: Asthmatic children who are taking low doses of ICS have higher HbA1c values than healthy children.