THU328 Appropriate Initial Insulin Dosage For Management Of Steroid-induced Hyperglycemia In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Disclosure: N. Ketaroonrut: None. S. Kiertiburanakul: None. C. Sriphrapradang: None. Introduction: Steroid was recommended for the treatment of severe COVID-19 infection. There are limited studies on the management of steroid-associated hyperglycemia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We aimed to determine the appropriate initial insulin dosage to control hyperglycemia in hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received steroid therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients with steroid-induced hyperglycemia who had been treated with insulin. We divided the patients into 4 groups according to the total daily dose (TDD) of subcutaneous insulin therapy at the initiation of dexamethasone ≥6 mg/day or an equivalent dose of glucocorticoid. Glycemic outcomes were compared between groups. Results: A total of 156 patients [age 64±14 years; 50% men; body mass index 26.9±6.9 kg/m(2); initial TDD of insulin (units/kg/day): group A, <0.29 (n=79); group B, 0.3-0.49 (n=33); group C, 0.5-0.69 (n=27); group D, >0.7 (n=17)] were included. Most patients (62%) had pre-existing type 2 diabetes. Mean admission blood glucose (BG) and HbA1c were 233±112 mg/dL and 7.8±2.3%, respectively. HbA1c was lowest in group A (6.7±1.2%) and highest in group D (9.8±2.5%). The average daily dexamethasone dosage or equivalent was 49.49±45.4 mg and there were no significant differences between the groups in the dexamethasone dose. The proportion of treatment failure (mean BG >280 mg/dL after the first day of insulin therapy or BG >400 mg/dL for at least 1 time/day) was lowest in group A. Among patients who received TDD >0.3 units/kg/day, group D had the lowest in both the percentage of treatment failure (B (52%) vs C (37%) vs D (29.4%), p=0.006) and mean BG during the 3 days of insulin therapy (B (246.0± 56.7 mg/dL) vs C (246.9±59.0 mg/dL) vs D (228.5±64.4 mg/dL), p=0.21). Three patients had severe hypoglycemia (BG <54 mg/dL) in this study (A: n=1 vs B: n=1 vs C: n=0 vs D: n=1, p=0.51). Conclusions: In the patients who require TDD >0.3 units/kg/day, the treatment failure of hyperglycemia was lowest in the patients who received TDD >0.7 units/kg/day without increasing severe hypoglycemia. This initial insulin dosage may guide physicians to achieve better glycemic control among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received steroid therapy. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023