Abstract
BACKGROUND Steroids are used as anti-inflammatory agents, administered for a variety of medical conditions, either as short- or long-term treatment. Steroid use is associated with many adverse effects, including hyperglycemia, but ketoacidosis is rare. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who developed diabetic ketoacidosis after administration of methylprednisolone during treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura. She did not have diabetes or a family history of diabetes. Steroid-induced hyperglycemia with insulin resistance, lipolysis, and ketogenesis occurred and were likely to have precipitated the ketoacidosis. Blood glucose, blood gases, and urine test results were diagnostic for ketoacidosis. CONCLUSIONS The risk of ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia should be considered in the course of steroid therapy, even without a diagnosis of diabetes, especially in patients who have risk factors for diabetes mellitus including obesity and long-term use of steroids, so that early identification of diabetic ketoacidosis can prevent further morbidity and mortality in chronic patients.