Abstract
Background
Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a promising class of oral anti-hyperglycemic agents with mounting evidence of reduced cardiovascular risk and renal failure, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent increase in their use has led to identification of hitherto unknown side effects of these drugs. Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (eDKA), found to be associated with SGLT-2i use, is a life-threatening condition and commonly goes unrecognized due to absence of the cardinal sign of hyperglycemia.
Clinical Case
We describe a 47 year old male with history of coronary artery disease and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented to our hospital with one week history of nausea, lethargy, progressive fatigue, and shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three weeks prior, with HBA1c of 12%.
His regimen included basal insulin and recent transition to empagliflozin due to severe GI intolerance with metformin use.
On arrival he was noted to be tachycardic with a heart rate of 113/min, afebrile and normotensive. Physical exam was mostly unremarkable except for dry oral mucous membranes. Serum chemistry was consistent with high anion gap metabolic acidosis with bicarbonate of 6.9 mmol/L (21-32 mmol/L), anion gap of 29 mmol/L (10-20 mmol/L), mildly elevated blood glucose of 132 mg/dl (74-106 mg/dl), acute kidney injury with creatinine of 1.47 mg/dl (0.7- 1.3 mg/dl), and a beta hydroxybutyrate level of 82.7 mg/dl (0.20- 5.63 mg/dl). Urine analysis showed ketonuria. This was consistent with a clinical and biochemical diagnosis of eDKA. He was treated with IV D5%NS-20mEq/L KCL and an insulin drip. Upon resolution of his acidosis and normalization of the anion gap he was switched to subcutaneous Insulin Glargine and Lispro. Empagliflozin was held as it was thought to be contributing to the diagnosis of eDKA.
Conclusion
Our case yet again illustrates the importance of recognition of EDKA to aid prompt management, especially with the rising popularity of SGLT-2 inhibitors. It is also important to educate patients about this condition, mostly notable in the first two months of starting the medication, to recognize the concerning symptoms and precipitating factors like dehydration, improper insulin dosing, low calorie diet, alcohol, infection, surgery. An acceptable alternative to SGLT-2i can be glucagon like peptide receptor (GLP- 1) agonists, also associated with good cardiovascular outcomes.
Empagliflozin-induced euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus
