Hyperglycemia is common in patients with hematologic malignancies, and requires frequent corticosteroid therapy, according to a retrospective analysis involving 168 individuals.

Participants were hospitalized and received systemic steroids during a 2-month period. Investigators calculated average glucose for days 1 through 4, as well as maximum glucose. They then converted the total daily steroid dose to equivalent dose of dexamethasone. Among the results:

• Hyperglycemia prevalence was 39%.
• 8 patients received IV insulin.
• In patients without diabetes, steroid dose equivalent to >12 mg dexamethasone and longer acting steroids caused more hyperglycemia than a dose <12 mg.
• Maximum glucose predicted hospital length of stay in patients without diabetes, as well as in those with acute leukemia or stem cell transplant.
• There were no mortality or other outcome differences seen in those with and without hyperglycemia.