Management of Antidiabetic Therapy in Patients Undergoing [18F]FDG PET

Authors

  • Helena Urbano Ferreira Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3925-1750
  • Mafalda Canudas Costa Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. & Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0405-1268
  • Marta Canha Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. & Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2929-3751
  • Elisabete Rodrigues Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. & Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto.
  • Maria do Sameiro Lemos Serviço de Medicina Nuclear. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. & Serviços Farmacêuticos. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9619-9809
  • Paula Soeiro Serviço de Medicina Nuclear. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7692-0343
  • Maria Teresa Faria Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. & Serviço de Medicina Nuclear. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0495-8219
  • Joana Queirós Serviço de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. Unidade Local de Saúde São João. Porto.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.24274

Keywords:

Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Guidelines as Topic, Positron Emission Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose {[18F]FDG} is a technique used to identify areas of increased glycolytic metabolism, aiding in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of neoplastic, infectious, or inflammatory disease. In people with diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia alter the radiotracer biodistribution, compromising the diagnostic accuracy of this test. The absence of clear guidelines may result in inadequate patient preparation and the need to postpone or repeat the test, causing harm to the patient and the institution. This clinical practice guideline results from a review of available evidence and a multidisciplinary consensus process between the Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine services of Unidade Local de Saúde São João, aiming to establish recommendations applicable to the Portuguese hospital context. The document includes detailed recommendations on the management of antidiabetic drugs before performing [18F]FDG PET, organized by specific clinical scenarios: 1) type 2 DM; 2) type 1 DM, including patients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion systems; and 3) diabetes secondary to corticosteroid therapy. In case of hyperglycemia between 200 - 350 mg/dL on the day of the test, the guideline includes the administration of insulin according to a personalized scheme, adapted to body mass index and renal function. The implementation of this guideline aims to standardize the preparation of people with diabetes for [18F]FDG PET and minimize the need to postpone or repeat tests, allowing for the optimization of hospital resource management.

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References

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Published

2026-05-25

How to Cite

1.
Urbano Ferreira H, Canudas Costa M, Canha M, Rodrigues E, Lemos M do S, Soeiro P, Faria MT, Queirós J. Management of Antidiabetic Therapy in Patients Undergoing [18F]FDG PET. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2026 May 25 [cited 2026 Jun. 5];. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/24274

Issue

Section

Guidelines