Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases

Context. Numerous reports suggest an association between SGLT2 inhibitors and DKA. Since the use of these drugs for diabetes has increased dramatically, identification of patients at greatest risk of this life-threatening complication is essential. Objective. To describe the clinical and biochemical...

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Main Authors: G. A. Stamatiades, P. D’Silva, M. Elahee, G. M. Viana, A. Sideri-Gugger, S. K. Majumdar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-01-01
Series:International Journal of Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/6615624
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author G. A. Stamatiades
P. D’Silva
M. Elahee
G. M. Viana
A. Sideri-Gugger
S. K. Majumdar
author_facet G. A. Stamatiades
P. D’Silva
M. Elahee
G. M. Viana
A. Sideri-Gugger
S. K. Majumdar
author_sort G. A. Stamatiades
collection DOAJ
description Context. Numerous reports suggest an association between SGLT2 inhibitors and DKA. Since the use of these drugs for diabetes has increased dramatically, identification of patients at greatest risk of this life-threatening complication is essential. Objective. To describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of all reported cases of DKA associated with SGLT2 inhibitor use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to identify potential risk factors. Design. A retrospective case series was conducted between March 2013 and August 2019 using an electronic medical record search algorithm. Results. 25 patients met the criteria for DKA associated with SGLT2i use (total of 29 cases), 15 were female, average age was 54.24 years, and mean diabetes duration was 8.76 years. The majority of the patients (23 patients) had no history of prior DKA. Average blood glucose concentrations at presentation were 298.9 ± 152.7 mg/dl. Interestingly, nearly half of the episodes (14) met the criteria of euglycemic DKA (glucose <250 mg/dl). Average anion gap values were 26.59 ± 6.15 mg/dl, bicarbonate values were 11.14 ± 5.57 mg/dl, and pH values were 7.16 ± 0.12. All had positive serum and urine ketones. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea, vomiting (18 cases), and abdominal pain (10 cases). Common precipitants were poor oral intake (18 cases) and infection (10 cases). A variety of drugs were prescribed along with an SGLT2i, and 11 of the patients were using insulin. None of the cases were fatal. Comparison between euglycemic DKA and hyperglycemic DKA did not identify any significant difference. A major limitation factor of the study was the lack of control group or comparison to other antiglycemic agents to assess the relative risk. Conclusions. The majority of SGLT2i-associated DKA cases occurred in patients with T2DM without prior episodes of DKA. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, while poor food intake and infection were the main precipitants. Clinicians should consider the possibility of DKA in SGLT2i-treated patients presenting with these symptoms, even in absence of marked hyperglycemia.
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spelling doaj-art-d884fb44985d46b7bae7e92bc69ac4492025-08-20T03:23:50ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83452023-01-01202310.1155/2023/6615624Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 CasesG. A. Stamatiades0P. D’Silva1M. Elahee2G. M. Viana3A. Sideri-Gugger4S. K. Majumdar5Department of MedicineDepartment of MedicineDepartment of MedicineDepartment of MedicineDepartment of MedicineDepartment of MedicineContext. Numerous reports suggest an association between SGLT2 inhibitors and DKA. Since the use of these drugs for diabetes has increased dramatically, identification of patients at greatest risk of this life-threatening complication is essential. Objective. To describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of all reported cases of DKA associated with SGLT2 inhibitor use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to identify potential risk factors. Design. A retrospective case series was conducted between March 2013 and August 2019 using an electronic medical record search algorithm. Results. 25 patients met the criteria for DKA associated with SGLT2i use (total of 29 cases), 15 were female, average age was 54.24 years, and mean diabetes duration was 8.76 years. The majority of the patients (23 patients) had no history of prior DKA. Average blood glucose concentrations at presentation were 298.9 ± 152.7 mg/dl. Interestingly, nearly half of the episodes (14) met the criteria of euglycemic DKA (glucose <250 mg/dl). Average anion gap values were 26.59 ± 6.15 mg/dl, bicarbonate values were 11.14 ± 5.57 mg/dl, and pH values were 7.16 ± 0.12. All had positive serum and urine ketones. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea, vomiting (18 cases), and abdominal pain (10 cases). Common precipitants were poor oral intake (18 cases) and infection (10 cases). A variety of drugs were prescribed along with an SGLT2i, and 11 of the patients were using insulin. None of the cases were fatal. Comparison between euglycemic DKA and hyperglycemic DKA did not identify any significant difference. A major limitation factor of the study was the lack of control group or comparison to other antiglycemic agents to assess the relative risk. Conclusions. The majority of SGLT2i-associated DKA cases occurred in patients with T2DM without prior episodes of DKA. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, while poor food intake and infection were the main precipitants. Clinicians should consider the possibility of DKA in SGLT2i-treated patients presenting with these symptoms, even in absence of marked hyperglycemia.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/6615624
spellingShingle G. A. Stamatiades
P. D’Silva
M. Elahee
G. M. Viana
A. Sideri-Gugger
S. K. Majumdar
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
International Journal of Endocrinology
title Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
title_full Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
title_fullStr Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
title_full_unstemmed Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
title_short Diabetic Ketoacidosis Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors: Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 29 Cases
title_sort diabetic ketoacidosis associated with sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors clinical and biochemical characteristics of 29 cases
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/6615624
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