Overview

The goal of this observational study is to investigate how a standard dose of the drug dexamethasone affects blood sugar levels during and after non-cardiac surgery in adult patients.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• How does dexamethasone influence blood sugar levels in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery?
• Does continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provide a more accurate estimate of blood sugar fluctuations compared to traditional time-specific finger-prick measurements?

Participants are scheduled to receive dexamethasone as part of standard anesthesia care and will undergo their planned surgery. As part of the study, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device will be placed on their upper arm approximately 12 hours before surgery and will remain in place for up to 10 days after the operation. During this period, their blood sugar levels will be measured using both the CGM device and traditional finger-prick tests. CGM readings are blinded for both participants and clinicians. No additional treatments or changes to their standard care will be made as a result of their participation in the study.

The study will include 100 adult patients from the Department of Anesthesiology at Sjællands University Hospital, Roskilde.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (≥18 years) scheduled for elective non cardiac surgery
• Expected surgery duration \>1 hour
• Administration of dexamethasone as part of standard anaesthetic regimen or planned by the responsible anaesthetist to enhance recovery or to limit risk of PONV.
• Ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not possible to obtain consent or permission
• Known allergy or adverse reaction to dexamethasone
• Type 1 diabetes (due to need for insulin titration)
• Active infection, sepsis, or immunosuppression
• Contraindications to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)