Evaluating Serum Glucose Levels and Lipid Profiles in Adult Asthma Patients Taking Corticosteroid Therapy: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study at Bahir Dar Public Hospitals, 2023

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroid drugs are widely used to manage asthma worldwide. However, their use can potentially lead to side effects like hyperglycemia, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Previous studies on steroid drug use have shown conflicting results regarding lipid profiles and glucose abnormalities. Methods: An institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among asthmatic patients receiving corticosteroid therapy and control subjects at Bahir Dar public hospitals between July 8 and November 10, 2023. A consecutive sampling method with age and sex-matched was used to recruit 304 study participants. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Five milliliters of fasting venous blood samples were drawn. An independent t-test and logistic regression were used to compare the burden of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia between the two groups and identify associated factors. Results: Asthmatic patients on corticosteroid therapy had significantly higher mean values of serum glucose and lipid profiles, except for HDL-c, compared to the control group. The prevalence of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-c, and HDL-c abnormalities and dyslipidemia were higher in asthmatic patients on corticosteroid therapy. The prevalence of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia was 20.39% (95% CI: 14.3-27.7), 45.39% (95% CI: 37.3-53.7), and 4.6% (95% CI: 1.9-9.3), 26.31% (95% CI: 20-34) for asthmatic patients on corticosteroid therapy and the control group, respectively. The study also found that dyslipidemia was associated with overweight, obesity, combined corticosteroid use, and high-dose corticosteroids (AOR=7.28; 95% CI: 1.740-30.530, p=0.007, AOR=5.7; 95% CI: 1.447-18.474, p=0.011, and AOR=7; 95% CI: 2.015-24.610, p=0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Asthmatic patients on corticosteroid therapy had higher mean values of serum glucose and lipid profile parameters, along with a significantly higher prevalence of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Further studies should be conducted on a large scale, with long follow-ups, to investigate the effects of steroid drugs on lipid profiles and glucose abnormalities.