CGM-Based Glycemic Analysis After ESI
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Epidural Steroid Injection, Continuous Glucose Monitoring.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), Hyperglycemia, Radicular Pain, Spinal Stenosis. Basic parameters: 20 years — 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- South Korea
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Based Evaluation of Glycemic Fluctuations Following Epidural Steroid Injections: A Comparative Study by Diabetic Status
Overview
The goal of this clinical study is to learn how blood glucose levels change after an epidural steroid injection (ESI) with dexamethasone in adults. It will specifically compare the glycemic response between patients with type 2 diabetes and those without diabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the injection cause higher or longer-lasting blood glucose elevation in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients? How do the mean glucose level and Time in Range (TIR) change after the injection in both groups? Researchers will compare a Type 2 Diabetes group to a Non-Diabetes group to see the differences in glycemic fluctuations using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Participants will: * Wear a small CGM sensor on their arm for about 15 days to monitor blood glucose levels continuously * Receive an epidural steroid injection containing 5 mg of dexamethasone on Day 3 * Visit the clinic 3 times (Day 1, Day 3, and Day 15) for sensor attachment, the injection procedure, and data collection
Detailed description
Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a widely used non-surgical treatment for radicular pain caused by spinal conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis. While effective for pain relief, the systemic absorption of corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) can induce temporary hyperglycemia, which poses potential risks, particularly for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Previous studies on post-ESI hyperglycemia have largely relied on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which captures only intermittent glucose data and may miss significant glycemic excursions, such as postprandial spikes or nocturnal hypoglycemia. This study aims to overcome these limitations by using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system to provide a comprehensive, time-series analysis of glycemic fluctuations.
Objectives:
To compare glycemic changes (mean glucose, Time in Range \[TIR\], Time Above Range \[TAR\]) following an epidural steroid injection with 5 mg of dexamethasone between a type 2 diabetes group and a non-diabetes control group.
To investigate the correlation between baseline HbA1c levels and the magnitude of post-injection glycemic variability.
Study Design: This is a prospective, observational, comparative study conducted at a single center (Korea University Anam Hospital). A total of 36 participants (18 in the T2DM group and 18 in the Non-DM group) will be enrolled.
Study Procedures:
Visit 1 (Day 1 - Screening \& Baseline):
* Participants provide informed consent and undergo screening. * Baseline HbA1c is measured. * A CGM sensor (Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2) is attached to the participant's upper arm. * Participants receive education on CGM use and are instructed to maintain their usual diet and medication. * Baseline Data Collection: Glucose levels are monitored for 2 days (Day 1-2) to establish a baseline profile before the injection.
Visit 2 (Day 3 - Intervention):
* Participants undergo the scheduled epidural steroid injection (cervical or lumbar) using 5 mg of dexamethasone. * The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance according to standard clinical practice.
Visit 3 (Day 15 - Follow-up \& Data Collection):
* Participants return to the clinic for follow-up. * The CGM sensor is removed, and the stored glycemic data is downloaded. * Pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) and any adverse events are recorded.
Statistical Analysis: The primary endpoints (changes in mean daily glucose and TIR) will be analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model (LMM) to account for repeated measures. Fixed effects will include Group (DM vs. Non-DM), Time (Baseline vs. Post-injection), and the Group-by-Time interaction. Patient demographics (e.g., age, BMI) will be included as covariates if significant differences are observed at baseline. A p-value of \<0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
This study will provide high-resolution data on the duration and severity of steroid-induced hyperglycemia, contributing to safer pain management protocols for diabetic patients.
Interventions
- Procedure Epidural Steroid Injection
Administration of 5 mg Dexamethasone via epidural route (cervical or lumbar) under fluoroscopic guidance. - Device Continuous Glucose Monitoring
A sensor attached to the upper arm to monitor interstitial glucose levels continuously for 15 days.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in Daily Mean Glucose [Time frame: Baseline (Day 1-2) and up to 12 days post-injection (Day 15)]
- Change in Time in Range (TIR) [Time frame: Baseline (Day 1-2) and up to 12 days post-injection (Day 15)]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Change in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) [Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Day 15]
- Frequency of Glucose Spikes [Time frame: Up to 12 days post-injection (Day 15)]
- Incidence of Nocturnal Hypoglycemia [Time frame: Up to 12 days post-injection (Day 15)]
- Glucose Variability (Coefficient of Variation) [Time frame: Up to 12 days post-injection (Day 15)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 20 to 60 years.
- Patients scheduled for cervical or lumbar epidural steroid injection at the pain clinic.
- Patients capable of understanding and using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device.
Exclusion criteria
- Patients currently taking or administering steroid medications.
- Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
- Patients with Cushing's disease.
- Patients who have received an epidural steroid injection within the last 3 months.
- Patients with a known allergy to contrast media.
- Patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.
- Patients unable to use a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
South Korea · 1 center
- Korea University Anam Hospital — Seoul
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07280780 · K2025-2728-002