Salbutamol induced glucose levels and cardiorespiratory changes -V.0.6
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Increased blood glucose levels and their correlation with changing cardiorespiratory observations amongst asthma patients receiving nebulised salbutamol: a pragmatic quantitative study
IRAS ID
320681
Contact name
Craig E. D. Mortimer
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Salbutamol induced glucose levels and cardiorespiratory changes
It is understood that whilst beta2-agonist such as Salbutamol are primarily targeted to act upon specific receptors, a level of ‘Off target’ stimulation occurs. This results in changes to varying body systems, such as the cardio, respiratory and endocrine systems. A little reported effect is an increase in blood glucose levels, both during and post treatment. Having been shown to occur in patients, receiving low dose treatment over time, the potential for this to occur in the acute setting where dosages are significantly higher is less clear.
Given the implications of increased blood glucose levels occurring in patients with a condition susceptible to changes in the baseline observations, this study will ascertain whether the use of nebulised Salbutamol in the acute setting increases these levels and will further determine whether this corresponds with changes to the cardiorespiratory system.
Purposively sampled asthma patients managed within a single UK ambulance Trust will ensure the study maintains a continuity in treatment and process, whilst encompassing a large diverse geographic area. Initial recruitment into the study will be undertaken by attending paramedics, trained within the study. Split into three work packages (WP); WP1, will identify whether blood glucose increases following administration of Salbutamol, through the use of pre and post treatment blood tests. WP2, will involve a more specific blood test being taken by the patient’s own GP practice to identify any diabetic or pre-diabetic markers and WP3 is a retrospective review of all asthma patients meeting the criteria over the recruitment timeframe within the Trust.
The study aims to contribute to the development of the general understanding of how asthmatics respond to short acting β₂ agonists and the role blood glucose has on their exacerbation.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EE/0267
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion