Euglycemic DKA Associated With SGLT2 Inhibitors

Abstract

Background: DKA associated with SGLT2 inhibitors also known as Euglycemic DKA (EDKA) is a rare condition characterized by milder degrees of hyperglycemia with a blood glucose level < 200 mg/dl. Unfortunately, this unusual feature can often lead to missed or delayed diagnosis with potential life-threatening outcomes. Clinical Case: The patient is a 53-year-old Caucasian male with PMH of type 2 diabetes mellitus treating with Metformin and Empagliflozin. He presented to the emergency room with shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, and decreased oral intake for a couple of days. Vital signs at presentation were: Temperature 98.2 °F, pulse rate 108 beats/min, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, and blood pressure 134/72 mmHg. He was alert but ill-looking, moderately dehydrated with dry mucus membranes. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable at the time of admission. In the initial blood work, sugar was found to be mildly elevated (163mg/dl), and hemoconcentration besides mild pre-renal acute kidney injury was detected. He was also found infected by the COVID-19 virus without hypoxemia or signs of pneumonia. Arterial blood gases showed metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap (PH 7.21, CO2 39.93mmHg, HCO3− 10mEq/L, anion gap 21mEq/L). Urine analysis was positive for ketones and glucose. After ruling out other causes of metabolic acidosis by screening for alcohols, salicylates, acetaminophen, lactic acid, and urine toxicology; the diagnosis of EDKA was made. He was treated with a 3L bolus of IV normal saline and an insulin drip with dextrose solution started as per the protocol based on his glucose levels and promptly admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Serial blood tests showed gradual resolution of ketoacidosis and anion gap normalized after 36 hours when insulin drip was stopped and replaced by subcutaneous insulin therapy. Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibitors increase the urinary excretion rate of glucose and subsequent fall in plasma glucose level. Thus, In the absence of exogenous insulin use, increase glucagon release resulting in upregulation of lipolysis and activation of the ketogenesis. Factors such as low oral intake, concurrent infection, and alcohol use can also exacerbate the process. Timely diagnosis of EDKA can be a challenge for physicians unfamiliar with this class of medications, additionally, ketone studies and blood gas analyses are not part of the routine workup for diabetic patients in the emergency department. We recommend all first-line care providers to consider ketosis in ill patients with diabetes and metabolic acidosis, despite the normal or near-normal serum glucose levels. EDKA is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion, but treatment is not different from DKA; correcting dehydration by using intravenous fluids and then, initiating insulin drip along with dextrose-containing solutions, and frequent monitoring of serum anion gap.