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

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.