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The Medical Clinics of North America May 2017Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are the most serious and life-threatening hyperglycemic emergencies in diabetes. DKA is more... (Review)
Review
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are the most serious and life-threatening hyperglycemic emergencies in diabetes. DKA is more common in young people with type 1 diabetes and HHS in adult and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Features of the 2 disorders with ketoacidosis and hyperosmolality may coexist. Both are characterized by insulinopenia and severe hyperglycemia. Early diagnosis and management are paramount. Treatment is aggressive rehydration, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement, and treatment of underlying precipitating events. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of hyperglycemic emergencies.
Topics: Bicarbonates; Diabetes Complications; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Emergencies; Fluid Therapy; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Insulin; Oxidative Stress; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
PubMed: 28372715
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.12.011 -
The American Journal of Emergency... Jun 2021Diabetic ketoacidosis is an endocrine emergency. A subset of diabetic patients may present with relative euglycemia with acidosis, known as euglycemic diabetic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Diabetic ketoacidosis is an endocrine emergency. A subset of diabetic patients may present with relative euglycemia with acidosis, known as euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA), which is often misdiagnosed due to a serum glucose <250 mg/dL.
OBJECTIVE
This narrative review evaluates the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of EDKA for emergency clinicians.
DISCUSSION
EDKA is comprised of serum glucose <250 mg/dL with an anion gap metabolic acidosis and ketosis. It most commonly occurs in patients with a history of low glucose states such as starvation, chronic liver disease, pregnancy, infection, and alcohol use. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which result in increased urinary glucose excretion, are also associated with EDKA. The underlying pathophysiology involves insulin deficiency or resistance with glucagon release, poor glucose availability, ketone body production, and urinary glucose excretion. Patients typically present with nausea, vomiting, malaise, or fatigue. The physician must determine and treat the underlying etiology of EDKA. Laboratory assessment includes venous blood gas for serum pH, bicarbonate, and ketones. Management includes resuscitation with intravenous fluids, insulin, and glucose, with treatment of the underlying etiology.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinician knowledge of this condition can improve the evaluation and management of patients with EDKA.
Topics: Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans
PubMed: 33626481
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.02.015 -
Current Diabetes Reviews 2017Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. It is characterised by the triad of hyperglycemia (blood sugar >250 mg/dl), metabolic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. It is characterised by the triad of hyperglycemia (blood sugar >250 mg/dl), metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.3 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L) and ketosis. Rarely these patients can present with blood glucose (BG) levels of less than 200 mg/dl, which is defined as euglycemic DKA. The possible etiology of euglycemic DKA includes the recent use of insulin, decreased caloric intake, heavy alcohol consumption, chronic liver disease and glycogen storage disorders. DKA in pregnancy has also been reported to present with euglycemia. The recent use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors has shed light on another possible mechanism of euglycemic DKA. Clinicians may also be misled by the presence of pseudonormoglycemia.
CONCLUSION
Euglycemic DKA thus poses a challenge to physicians, as patients presenting with normal BG levels in ketoacidosis may be overlooked, leading to a delay in appropriate management strategies. In this article, we review all the possible etiologies and the associated pathophysiology of patients presenting with euglycemic DKA. We also discuss the approach to diagnosis and management of such patients. Despite euglycemia, ketoacidosis in diabetic patients remains a medical emergency and must be treated in a quick and appropriate manner.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Blood Glucose; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Starvation
PubMed: 27097605
DOI: 10.2174/1573399812666160421121307 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Sep 2019Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not a rare presentation to hospital, despite being an entirely preventable condition. A concerning number of people also develop DKA while...
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not a rare presentation to hospital, despite being an entirely preventable condition. A concerning number of people also develop DKA while already in hospital. Management of DKA has changed in the last decade, and national guidelines introduced, to help standardise care, spread best practice, and reduce mortality and morbidity.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 31530688
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2019-0284 -
Pediatric Diabetes Nov 2022
Review
Topics: Consensus; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma; Hypoglycemic Agents
PubMed: 36250645
DOI: 10.1111/pedi.13406 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Nov 2020
Review
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Risk Factors; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
PubMed: 33184044
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m4147 -
Current Diabetes Reports May 2017Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are diabetic emergencies that cause high morbidity and mortality. Their treatment differs in the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are diabetic emergencies that cause high morbidity and mortality. Their treatment differs in the UK and USA. This review delineates the differences in diagnosis and treatment between the two countries.
RECENT FINDINGS
Large-scale studies to determine optimal management of DKA and HHS are lacking. The diagnosis of DKA is based on disease severity in the USA, which differs from the UK. The diagnosis of HHS in the USA is based on total rather than effective osmolality. Unlike the USA, the UK has separate guidelines for DKA and HHS. Treatment of DKA and HHS also differs with respect to timing of fluid and insulin initiation. There is considerable overlap but important differences between the UK and USA guidelines for the management of DKA and HHS. Further research needs to be done to delineate a unifying diagnostic and treatment protocol.
Topics: Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma; United Kingdom; United States
PubMed: 28364357
DOI: 10.1007/s11892-017-0857-4 -
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice Sep 2019Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains one of the most frequently encountered diabetes related emergencies, and despite updates in management and increasing standardisation... (Review)
Review
AIMS
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains one of the most frequently encountered diabetes related emergencies, and despite updates in management and increasing standardisation of care, still has an appreciable morbidity and mortality. This review focusses on the pathophysiology and epidemiology of DKA, but also on the importance of having a standardised definition.
METHODS
Relevant data were reviewed where there was available basic science or clinical papers published in peer-reviewed international journals on DKA. These included consensus documents and national or international guidelines.
RESULTS
The prevalence of DKA varies around the world, but part of this could be down to the way the condition is defined. Examples of this difference include the recent studies on sodium glucose co-transporter inhibitors in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes which have all been associated with increased rates of DKA, but have highlighted how differences in definitions can make comparisons between agents very difficult.
CONCLUSIONS
DKA should only be diagnosed when all three components are present - the 'D', the 'K' and the 'A'. In addition, the definitions used to diagnose DKA should be standardised - in particular for clinical trials.
Topics: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Prevalence; United Kingdom
PubMed: 31344382
DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107797 -
Pediatrics in Review Aug 2019
Review
Topics: Child; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; United States
PubMed: 31371634
DOI: 10.1542/pir.2018-0231 -
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental Apr 2016The prognosis of diabetic ketoacidosis has undergone incredibly remarkable evolution since the discovery of insulin nearly a century ago. The incidence and economic... (Review)
Review
The prognosis of diabetic ketoacidosis has undergone incredibly remarkable evolution since the discovery of insulin nearly a century ago. The incidence and economic burden of diabetic ketoacidosis have continued to rise but its mortality has decreased to less than 1% in good centers. Improved outcome is attributable to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and widespread application of treatment guidelines. In this review, we present the changes that have occurred over the years, highlighting the evidence behind the recommendations that have improved outcome. We begin with a discussion of the precipitants and pathogenesis of DKA as a prelude to understanding the rationale for the recommendations. A brief review of ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes, an update relating to the diagnosis of DKA and a future perspective are also provided.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Incidence
PubMed: 26975543
DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2015.12.007