Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and clinical outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis among male and female children with type 1 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Some studies suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic increased the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, the impact of this pandemic on pediatric T1DM is still mostly unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical outcomes in children with T1DM. Methods: We systematically searched for six databases up to 31 August 2022. We included 46 observational studies, 159,505 children of both sexes with T1DM, and 17,547 DKA events. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased, in both sexes, the incidence of 1) DKA (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.44–1.96), 2) severe DKA (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.59–2.12), 3) DKA in newly diagnosed T1DM (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.51–2.03), and 4) ICU admissions (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.60–2.26). However, we did not find a significant association between this pandemic and 1) the incidence of T1DM, 2) the incidence of DKA in established T1DM, 3) the incidence of KDA complications, 4) the length of hospitalization stay, and 5) mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that the study design and the continent of origin accounted for the heterogeneity. Conclusions: The pandemic SARS-CoV-2 raised, in both sexes, the risk of DKA, severe DKA, DKA de novo, and ICU admissions.

Aims: We aimed to analyze incidence and characteristics of patients with diabetic ketosis (DK) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Caucasian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Studied population included 261, 749 adults. DK criteria included plasma glucose >13.9 mmol/L and ketonuria >2, while in DKA bicarbonate <18 mEq/L or pH<7.30 was also required. Hyperglycemic crises without these criteria were defined as non-ketotic hyperglycemia (NKH). Results: During a 5-year period, we observed 630 episodes of DK and 215 episodes of DKA. Only 8.6% of DK episodes and 34.4% of DKA were attributed to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Patients with T1DM were younger, leaner, majority had newly diagnosed disease, and hyperglycemia was the main cause of admission. Standardized incidence ratio for DK was 48.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 44.5-52.1) and 17.0 (95% CI 14.9-19.4) for DKA. Incidence for both DK and DKA was increasing with age. In patients younger than 50, the incidence of DK and DKA was similar. However, dramatic rise in the incidence of DK was observed in both sexes after the age of 50. When compared with patients with NKH, the patients with DK had higher serum pH and bicarbonates. Patients with T2DM had a risk of 0.8% for developing DKA and 2.9% for DK over 5- year period. Conclusions: Our study showed that DK and DKA are not uncommon in Caucasian adults and the majority of episodes were contributed to T2DM. Incidence of DK is far more higher than the incidence of DKA in patients older than 50, who predominantly have T2DM. Moreover, patients with DK have higher serum pH and bicarbonates, both of which imply that DK and DKA are distinct clinical entities in patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of these clinical entities.

Aims: We aimed to analyze incidence and characteristics of patients with diabetic ketosis (DK) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Caucasian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).&#13;\n&#13;\nMethods: Studied population included 261,749 adults. DK criteria included plasma glucose &gt;13.9 mmol/L and ketonuria &gt;2, while in DKA bicarbonate &lt;18 mEq/L or pH&lt;7.30 was also required. Hyperglycemic crises without these criteria were defined as non-ketotic hyperglycemia (NKH).&#13;\n&#13;\nResults: During a 5-year period, we observed 630 episodes of DK and 215 episodes of DKA. Only 8.6% of DK episodes and 34.4% of DKA were attributed to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Patients with T1DM were younger, leaner, majority had newly diagnosed disease, and hyperglycemia was the main cause of admission. Standardized incidence ratio for DK was 48.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 44.5-52.1) and 17.0 (95% CI 14.9-19.4) for DKA. Incidence for both DK and DKA was increasing with age. In patients younger than 50, the incidence of DK and DKA was similar. However, dramatic rise in the incidence of DK was observed in both sexes after the age of 50. When compared with patients with NKH, the patients with DK had higher serum pH and bicarbonates. Patients with T2DM had a risk of 0.8% for developing DKA and 2.9% for DK over 5-year period.&#13;\n&#13;\nConclusions: Our study showed that DK and DKA are not uncommon in Caucasian adults and the majority of episodes were contributed to T2DM. Incidence of DK is far more higher than the incidence of DKA in patients older than 50, who predominantly have T2DM. Moreover, patients with DK have higher serum pH and bicarbonates, both of which imply that DK and DKA are distinct clinical entities in patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of these clinical entities.

Background A wide range of reports on the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children have been published worldwide. Reports from Saudi Arabia are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, clinical pattern and severity of DKA in children with newly diagnosed T1DM and the association of autoimmune conditions with initial DKA occurrence at King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah. Methods This retrospective chart review was conducted during the period 2005-2015. All newly diagnosed T1DM children during the study period were investigated (n = 390). Data were collected on the demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), DKA severity, length of hospital stay and follow-up data on the type of diabetes therapy. Results The incidence of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM pediatric patients was 37.7% (n = 147). Moderate and severe DKA cases were significantly higher among female children (p = 0.04). Patients diagnosed with DKA had lower BMI (20.87 ± 5.21) than their counterparts (p = 0.03). The median length of hospital stay was higher among severe DKA compared to moderate and mild cases (5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 days, respectively). Conclusions The incidence of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM is still high compared to developed countries; however, it is relatively lower than previous reports in Saudi Arabia. Immediate interventions, such as awareness campaigns, are vital to reduce the burden of this preventable health sequela among children with DM.

BackgroundPrevious reports suggest that the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might have affected incidences of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and new diagnoses of type 1 diabetes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the risk of DKA, including severe DKA, during the COVID-19 pandemic versus the prior-to-COVID-19 period among pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were searched for observational studies investigating the risk of DKA among pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic and the prior-to-COVID-19 period. A random meta-analysis model was performed to estimate the relative risk of DKA during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the type 1 diabetes status, established or newly diagnosed. In addition, sensitivity analysis was conducted for studies that reported results from adjusted analysis for potential confounders using fixed effect model.ResultsA total of 20 observational studies reported the risk of DKA, of which 18 reported the risk of severe DKA. The risks of DKA and severe DKA were 35% (RR 1.35, 95%CI 1.2-1.53, I 2 = 71%) and 76% (RR 1.76, 95%CI 1.33-2.33, I 2 = 44%) higher in the during-COVID-19 group compared to the prior-to-COVID-19 group, respectively. Among patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, the risk of DKA was 44% higher for the during-COVID-19 group compared to the prior-to-COVID-19 group (RR 1.44, 95%CI 1.26-1.65; I 2 = 64%). Only two studies reported the risk of DKA among patients with established type 1 diabetes and the cumulative risk was not statistically significant. In the sensitivity analysis, four studies reported an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the risk of DKA during COVID-19 compared to the prior-to-COVID-19 period. The fixed estimate from the meta-analysis found an increase in the risk of DKA in the during-COVID-19 group compared to the prior-to-COVID-19 group (aOR 2.04, 95%CI 1.66-2.50).ConclusionsThis study showed that DKA risk, especially the risk of severe DKA, has increased significantly during the pandemic. Healthcare systems must be aware and prepared for such an increase in DKA cases and take all necessary measures to prevent future spikes during the pandemic.Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=272775, identifier PROSPERO [CRD42021272775].

PurposeWe evaluated the clinical characteristics and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to identify its indirect effects on DKA incidence.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective study included 19 children with DKA admitted to the emergency room (ER) in two centers in Jeonbuk province, Korea during the first 6 months of the year from 2017 to 2020. Data were collected on age, height, body weight, clinical symptoms, diabetic mellitus (DM) type, and laboratory findings. DKA severity was based on the presence of acute kidney injury, cerebrovascular accident, and altered mental status. The ratio of patients with DKA in all pediatric patients who visited the study ERs and in the Jeonbuk population was also determined.ResultsThere were no differences in anthropometric characteristics and complication rates between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods; however, the rate of polydipsia was significantly higher in the COVID-19 period. All seven patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic (100%) had polydipsia and polyuria and were newly diagnosed with DM. The rate of pediatric patients with DKA admitted to the ER in 2020 (0.459%) was more than twice the mean rate of 0.206% for the four-year period. The incidence of DKA in the Jeonbuk population (0.00141%) also exceeded the mean rate (0.0009%).ConclusionThe incidence of pediatric DKA might be higher due to the indirect effect of COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians should be aware of nonspecific symptoms related to DKA in children admitted to the ER.

“The Proof is in the Pudding”: Do SGLT2 Inhibitors Cause Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

We assessed the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children aged <15 years with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in the Auckland Region (New Zealand) in 1999–2013, in a retrospective review of a complete regional cohort. DKA and its severity were classified according to ISPAD 2014 guidelines. Of 730 children presenting with new-onset T1DM over the 15-year time period, 195 cases had DKA of any severity (27%). There was no change in the incidence of DKA or the proportion of children with severe DKA at presentation. The incidence of DKA among children aged <2.0 years (n = 40) was 53% compared to 25% for those aged 2–14 years (n = 690; p = 0.005). In children aged 2–14 years, increasing age at diagnosis was associated with greater likelihood of DKA at presentation (p = 0.025), with the odds of DKA increasing 1.06 times with each year increase in age. Non-Europeans were more likely to present in DKA than New Zealand Europeans (OR 1.52; p = 0.048). Despite a consistent secular trend of increasing incidence of T1DM, there was no reduction in the incidence of DKA in new-onset T1DM in the Auckland Region over time. Thus, it is important to explore ways to reduce DKA risk.

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic’s global impact on health and healthcare is undisputed. Recent reports suggest the pandemic may have increased the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among paediatric patients with existing...

1. Justin M. Gregory, MD* 2. Daniel J. Moore, MD, PhD† 3. Jill H. Simmons, MD‡ 1. *Pediatric Endocrinology Clinical Fellow, Ian Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 2. †Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Ian Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. 3. ‡Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ian Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. * ADA: : American Diabetes Association DKA: : diabetic ketoacidosis HbA1c: : glycosylated hemoglobin I:C ratio: : insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio IV: : intravenous TDD: : total daily dose T1DM: : type 1 diabetes mellitus T2DM: : type 2 diabetes mellitus 1. All children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should have their blood sugar managed with basal-bolus insulin treatment by either multiple daily injections or an insulin pump. 2. All children with T1DM should have access to a pediatric endocrinologist with a diabetes management team with resources to support patients and families. 3. All children with T1DM should be monitored for symptoms and/or screened for commonly associated conditions such as thyroid and celiac disease. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the presenting signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). 2. Know the key principles of effective diabetes self-management and the diabetes care team’s role in facilitating effective self-management. 3. Know the acute and chronic complications of (T1DM). 4. Identify how different categories of insulin analogues are used in daily insulin regimens. True, it is a fight, but there is pleasure in the struggle. Victory comes to the courageous; and without courage and common sense, success awaits no one. I look upon the diabetic as charioteer and his chariot as drawn by three steeds named Diet, Insulin, and Exercise. It takes skill to drive one horse, intelligence to manage a team of two, but a man must be a very good teamster who can get all three to pull together.EP Joslin, 1933 Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a disorder of glucose homeostasis characterized by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cell that progressively leads to insulin deficiency and resultant hyperglycemia. If left untreated, insulin deficiency leads to progressive metabolic derangement, with worsening hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, starvation, and death. In …

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

BackgroundDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will not only shed light on such life-threatening complications but also be a step to increase the awareness of healthcare providers about such complications in the upcoming pandemic waves and increased dependence on telemedicine. Thus, we aimed to further investigate the increase of DKA in pediatrics.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were broadly searched for studies assessing the incidence of DKA in pediatrics during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsOur study included 24 papers with a total of 124,597 children with diabetes. A statistically significant increase occurred in the risk of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM patients during the pandemic (RR 1.41; 95% CI 1.19, 1.67; p < 0.01; I2 = 86%), especially in the severe form of DKA (RR 1.66: 95% CI 1.3, 2.11) when compared to before.ConclusionDKA in newly diagnosed children with T1DM has increased during the pandemic and presented with a severe form. This may reflect that COVID-19 may have contributed not only to the development but also the severity of DKA.Impact Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) that has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.Our study included 25 papers with a total of 124,597 children with diabetes. A statistically significant increase occurred in the risk of DKA among newly diagnosed T1DM patients during the pandemic.Our findings reflect that COVID-19 may have an altered presentation in T1DM and can be related to DKA severity.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area in 2020 has caused difficulties in the daily life and hospital care of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We detected an increase in blood sugar levels in these children and the number of patients hospitalized with more severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) compared to those before COVID-19. MethodsThis single-center study was conducted at Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital. The following patient groups were included; 45 returning patients diagnosed with T1DM and undergoing insulin treatment for more than 2 years and 20 patients newly diagnosed with T1DM before and after COVID-19 were selected by age matching. Returning patients before and after the outbreak were selected, and changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were retrospectively reviewed. The HbA1c levels and severity of symptoms in newly diagnosed patients during hospitalization were examined. ResultsHbA1c levels in returning patients with T1DM were significantly increased after COVID-19 (before, 7.70%±1.38% vs. after, 8.30%±2.05%; p=0.012). There were 10 and 10 newly diagnosed patients before and after COVID-19, respectively. The proportion of patients with drowsiness and dyspnea at the time of admission was higher after COVID-19 than before (before, 2 of 10 vs. after, 4 of 10). The HbA1c levels were higher in newly diagnosed patients hospitalized after COVID-19 than before (before, 11.15% vs. after, 13.60%; p=0.036). ConclusionDue to COVID-19 in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area, there was an increase in blood glucose levels in children with T1DM and in the incidence of severe DKA in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients.

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the chronic diseases that timely and correct management affects the outcome of these patients. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection that has created a disproportionate situation for individuals and healthcare systems. The resulting pandemic is associated with delayed presentation of patients as well as increased frequency and severity of acute complications. Objectives This review study aims to investigate the incidence, initial presentation, frequency, and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as well as changes in demographic findings, such as age and sex in newly diagnosed T1DM children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The search was conducted in different databases, using the keywords: T1DM, COVID-19, pediatrics, and incidence to find the related articles published in English from December 31, 2019, to March 3, 2022. Results There is no clear evidence for increase in the incidence of T1DM and the frequency and severity of DKA in female and younger people during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand the role of pandemic on disease incidence and acute complications. Conclusions: To reduce the incidence of DKA and speed up the diagnosis of T1DM during the pandemic, people should be informed about their symptoms.

This study characterized incidence, patient profiles, risk factors and outcomes of in-hospital diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with COVID-19 compared with influenza and pre-pandemic data. This study consisted of 13 383 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (March 2020-July 2022), 19 165 hospitalized patients with influenza (January 2018-July 2022) and 35 000 randomly sampled hospitalized pre-pandemic patients (January 2017-December 2019) in Montefiore Health System, Bronx, NY, USA. Primary outcomes were incidence of in-hospital DKA, in-hospital mortality, and insulin use at 3 and 6 months post-infection. Risk factors for developing DKA were identified. The overall incidence of DKA in patients with COVID-19 and influenza, and pre-pandemic were 2.1%, 1.4% and 0.5%, respectively (p < .05 pairwise). Patients with COVID-19 with DKA had worse acute outcomes (p < .05) and higher incidence of new insulin treatment 3 and 6 months post-infection compared with patients with influenza with DKA (p < .05). The incidence of DKA in patients with COVID-19 was highest among patients with type 1 diabetes (12.8%), followed by patients with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes (T2D; 5.2%), non-insulin dependent T2D (2.3%) and, lastly, patients without T2D (1.3%). Patients with COVID-19 with DKA had worse disease severity and higher mortality [odds ratio = 6.178 (4.428-8.590), p < .0001] compared with those without DKA. Type 1 diabetes, steroid therapy for COVID-19, COVID-19 status, black race and male gender were associated with increased risk of DKA. The incidence of DKA was higher in COVID-19 cohort compared to the influenza and pre-pandemic cohort. Patients with COVID-19 with DKA had worse outcomes compared with those without. Many COVID-19 survivors who developed DKA during hospitalization became insulin dependent. Identification of risk factors for DKA and new insulin-dependency could enable careful monitoring and timely intervention.