Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risk of incident diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with the dosage, duration, and timing of glucocorticoid (GC) use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We undertook a cohort study using 2 databases: a UK primary care database (the Clinical Practice Research Datalink [CPRD]) including 21,962 RA patients (1992-2009) and the US National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (NDB) including 12,657 RA patients (1998-2013). Information on the dosage and timing of GC use was extracted. DM in the CPRD was defined using Read codes, at least 2 prescriptions for oral antidiabetic medication, or abnormal blood test results. DM in the NDB was defined through patient self-reports. Data were analyzed using time-dependent Cox models and a novel weighted cumulative dose (WCD) model that accounts for dosage, duration, and timing of treatment. RESULTS: The hazard ratio (HR) was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.17-1.45) and 1.61 (95% CI 1.37-1.89) in current GC users compared to nonusers in the CPRD and the NDB, respectively. A range of conventional statistical models consistently confirmed increases in risk with the GC dosage and duration. The WCD model showed that recent GC use contributed the most to the current risk of DM, while doses taken >6 months previously did not influence current risk. In the CPRD, 5 mg of prednisolone equivalent dose for the last 1, 3, and 6 months was significantly associated with HRs of 1.20, 1.43, and 1.48, respectively, compared to nonusers. CONCLUSION: GC use is a clinically important and quantifiable risk factor for DM. Risk is influenced by the dosage and treatment duration, although only for GC use within the last 6 months.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/art.39537

Type

Journal article

Journal

Arthritis Rheumatol

Publication Date

05/2016

Volume

68

Pages

1089 - 1098

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Cohort Studies, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Prednisolone, Proportional Hazards Models, Retrospective Studies, Risk, Risk Factors, Time Factors