Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report

Abstract Background Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), like empagliflozin, are widely prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, they carry a rare but serious risk: euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA). EDKA’s atypical presentation, characterized by metabolic aci...

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Main Authors: Ophélie Dirand, Julie Dupont, Emmanuel Weiss, Myriam Lamamri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00963-8
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author Ophélie Dirand
Julie Dupont
Emmanuel Weiss
Myriam Lamamri
author_facet Ophélie Dirand
Julie Dupont
Emmanuel Weiss
Myriam Lamamri
author_sort Ophélie Dirand
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), like empagliflozin, are widely prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, they carry a rare but serious risk: euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA). EDKA’s atypical presentation, characterized by metabolic acidosis and ketosis despite normal blood glucose levels, often delays diagnosis, posing significant challenges in intensive care. Case presentation We report the case of a 74-year-old female with type 2 diabetes on empagliflozin, gliclazide, and metformin. Admitted after severe trauma from a road traffic accident, she subsequently developed EDKA. This was fostered by septic shock due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus cellulitis. All home medications were discontinued. EDKA was successfully managed with fluid volume expansion, continuous intravenous insulin and dextrose infusions, resolving her metabolic derangements within five days. Conclusion SGLT2i use is associated with a significantly increased risk of EDKA. Early diagnosis is critical due to its potential lethal consequences. Reintroducing SGLT2i in ICU patients, especially trauma patients at high sepsis risk, requires careful, daily reassessment given their unpredictable clinical course.
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spelling doaj-art-e367e802eac04ba6aff0b857e02ac4282025-08-20T03:42:23ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-08-011811510.1186/s12245-025-00963-8Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case reportOphélie Dirand0Julie Dupont1Emmanuel Weiss2Myriam Lamamri3Département d’anesthésie réanimation, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU PARABOLDépartement d’anesthésie réanimation, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU PARABOLDépartement d’anesthésie réanimation, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU PARABOLDépartement d’anesthésie réanimation, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU PARABOLAbstract Background Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), like empagliflozin, are widely prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, they carry a rare but serious risk: euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA). EDKA’s atypical presentation, characterized by metabolic acidosis and ketosis despite normal blood glucose levels, often delays diagnosis, posing significant challenges in intensive care. Case presentation We report the case of a 74-year-old female with type 2 diabetes on empagliflozin, gliclazide, and metformin. Admitted after severe trauma from a road traffic accident, she subsequently developed EDKA. This was fostered by septic shock due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus cellulitis. All home medications were discontinued. EDKA was successfully managed with fluid volume expansion, continuous intravenous insulin and dextrose infusions, resolving her metabolic derangements within five days. Conclusion SGLT2i use is associated with a significantly increased risk of EDKA. Early diagnosis is critical due to its potential lethal consequences. Reintroducing SGLT2i in ICU patients, especially trauma patients at high sepsis risk, requires careful, daily reassessment given their unpredictable clinical course.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00963-8TraumaEuglycemic diabetic ketoacidosisSodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitorsSepsis shock
spellingShingle Ophélie Dirand
Julie Dupont
Emmanuel Weiss
Myriam Lamamri
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Trauma
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
Sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitors
Sepsis shock
title Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
title_full Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
title_fullStr Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
title_short Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient: a case report
title_sort euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium glucose co transporter 2 inhibitor use in a trauma patient a case report
topic Trauma
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis
Sodium-glucose co transporter 2 inhibitors
Sepsis shock
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00963-8
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