Could a quick insulin shot stop Steroid-Induced blood sugar spikes?
NCT ID NCT07757464
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
Steroid injections for knee arthritis can temporarily raise blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. This trial tests whether giving a short course of NPH insulin right after the injection can prevent those high blood sugar episodes. Adults with type 2 diabetes and knee osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to receive either the pre-emptive insulin or their usual diabetes care. Both groups will wear continuous glucose monitors to track blood sugar levels for 72 hours after the injection, and the study will also check for low blood sugar and other side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- NPH insulin (a type of intermediate-acting insulin) given as a short course of injections after a knee steroid injection
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple way to prevent steroid-related blood sugar spikes in people with type 2 diabetes, making joint pain relief safer and more comfortable.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with a modest number of participants, so results may not apply to everyone. NPH insulin can cause low blood sugar, and the added injections may be burdensome.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 125 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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40 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40 to 80 years at consent. * Documented diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for at least 6 months. * HbA1c from 6.5% through 9.0% measured within 30 days before randomisation. * Symptomatic osteoarthritis of one knee for which the treating clinician has independently determined that an intra-articular corticosteroid injection is clinically indicated. * Planned administration of one intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide crystalline suspension 40 mg into the index knee. * Diabetes managed without insulin, sulfonylureas or meglitinides. * Permitted glucose-lowering medications at stable doses for at least 30 days before randomisation. * Estimated glomerular filtration rate at least 45 mL/min/1.73 m² within 60 days before randomisation. * Capillary glucose from 90 through 250 mg/dL immediately before the injection. * Ability and willingness to perform scheduled capillary glucose testing, administer or receive subcutaneous insulin if assigned, follow hypoglycaemia instructions and remain contactable through day 7. * Ability to wear the study continuous glucose monitoring device and provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Type 1 diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, pancreatogenic diabetes or another specific diabetes type requiring insulin. * Current basal, prandial, premixed or pump insulin treatment. * Current sulfonylurea or meglitinide treatment. * HbA1c below 6.5% or above 9.0%. * Capillary glucose below 90 mg/dL or above 250 mg/dL immediately before injection. * Fasting glucose above 250 mg/dL, random glucose above 300 mg/dL, clinically significant ketonaemia or hyperglycaemia requiring immediate treatment during screening. * Estimated glomerular filtration rate below 45 mL/min/1.73 m². * Severe hepatic impairment or another condition expected to materially alter insulin clearance or hypoglycaemia risk. * Level 3 hypoglycaemia requiring third-party assistance during the previous 6 months. * Documented impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. * Pregnancy, planned pregnancy during study participation or breastfeeding. * Oral, intravenous or intramuscular corticosteroid use within 30 days before the study injection. * Any intra-articular, epidural, periarticular or soft-tissue corticosteroid injection within 30 days before the study injection. * Planned additional systemic or injected corticosteroid exposure before the day-7 assessment. * Acute febrile illness, active systemic infection or acute deterioration in health at screening or injection. * Suspected septic arthritis, infection over the injection site, prosthetic index knee, uncontrolled bleeding disorder or another contraindication to knee injection. * Known allergy or clinically significant hypersensitivity to triamcinolone acetonide, human NPH insulin, insulin aspart, protamine, lidocaine or required excipients. * Known allergy to continuous glucose monitoring adhesive or a skin condition preventing sensor use. * Cognitive, visual, physical or social limitation that would prevent safe glucose testing, insulin administration, hypoglycaemia treatment or study contact. * Participation in another interventional study likely to affect glucose or corticosteroid response. * Any condition that, in the investigator's documented judgement, makes participation unsafe for a reason not otherwise captured above.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shifa International hospital
Lahore, Pakistan
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