Diabetic ketoacidosis in COVID-19: what have we learned so far?

Background and aims: In December 2019, a pandemic emerged due to a new coronavirus which imposed various uncertainties and discoveries. It has been reported that diabetes is a risk factor for worst outcomes of COVID-19, and also that SARS-CoV-2 infection was correlated with the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients. The aim of this work is to discuss this correlation emphasizing the main case reports from 2020 while exploring the management of DKA during the course of COVID-19. Method: Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched using two sets of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) search terms or Title/Abstract words: Coronavirus Infections (Coronavirus Infections, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, COVID-19) and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Diabetic Acidosis, Diabetic Ketosis). Results: There is a clear correlation between COVID-19 and DKA. The SARS-Cov-2 infection may precipitate both a hyperglycemic state and ketoacidosis occurrence in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, which may lead to fatal outcomes. Conclusion: DKA in patients with COVID-19 may increase risk and worse outcomes. Hence, the SARS-Cov-2 infection presents a new perspective towards the management of glycemia and acidosis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, highlighting the need for rapid interventions to minimize the complications from COVID-19 while reducing its spreading.

The problem of dehydration in pediatrics

Dehydration syndrome often complicates the course of various diseases in children. The article covers the main pathological conditions that are accompanied by fluid loss, such as infectious diarrhea, cyclic vomiting syndrome, non-diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to water and electrolyte loss are described, as well as methods for correc­ting dehydration in pediatrics. We presented the results of a clinical study of Reogel, which was used for oral rehydration in children with acute infectious diarrhea receiving inpatient treatment. According to the results of this observation, we did not find a significant difference in the duration of the main clinical symptoms of the disease, such as diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration symptoms, as well as the frequency and duration of parenteral rehydration between groups of children receiving Reogel and standard oral rehydration. The results of this study give grounds to consider Reogel as an alternative to traditional oral rehydration in children with infectious diarrhea, accompanied by mild and moderate dehydration.

Therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of Diabetic ketosis decompensations after a decade at the University Hospital of Cotonou, Benin

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of diabetic ketosis decompensation, a decade after its previous report in our center. Materials and Method: This was a 3-year retrospective study, including all patients admitted from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2019 for DKA at the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Department of the National and University Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM). Ketosis was defined by the presence of at least 2 acetone crosses on the urine strip. Results: A total of 196 patients were included. The mean age was 43.73 years ± 16.2 years with a sex ratio of 0.96. The prevalence of DKA was 28.99%. The main precipitating factors of DKA were infections (67.86%) and non-compliance to the treatment (29.59%). The most common infections were urogenital (23.30%), respiratory (18.04%) and malaria (32.33%). The mortality was 2.55%. Male subjects (84.36%) had blood glucose levels above 3g/L with a higher mean dose of insulin used (84.71 IU versus 54.29 IU for women p=0.008). Duration of recovery (p=0.008) and length of hospitalization (p=0.006) were statistically longer for men. Conclusion: The prevalence of ketosis decompensations remains high. The main decompensation factors found were infections and non-compliance to treatment. Improving patient care over the past decade had produced a positive impact on mortality, recovery time and length of hospitalization.

Therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of Diabetic ketosis decompensations after a decade at the University Hospital of Cotonou, Benin

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of diabetic ketosis decompensation, a decade after its previous report in our center. Materials and Method: This was a 3-year retrospective study, including all patients admitted from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2019 for DKA at the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Department of the National and University Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM). Ketosis was defined by the presence of at least 2 acetone crosses on the urine strip. Results: A total of 196 patients were included. The mean age was 43.73 years ± 16.2 years with a sex ratio of 0.96. The prevalence of DKA was 28.99%. The main precipitating factors of DKA were infections (67.86%) and non-compliance to the treatment (29.59%). The most common infections were urogenital (23.30%), respiratory (18.04%) and malaria (32.33%). The mortality was 2.55%. Male subjects (84.36%) had blood glucose levels above 3g/L with a higher mean dose of insulin used (84.71 IU versus 54.29 IU for women p=0.008). Duration of recovery (p=0.008) and length of hospitalization (p=0.006) were statistically longer for men. Conclusion: The prevalence of ketosis decompensations remains high. The main decompensation factors found were infections and non-compliance to treatment. Improving patient care over the past decade had produced a positive impact on mortality, recovery time and length of hospitalization.

Therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of Diabetic ketosis decompensations after a decade at the University Hospital of Cotonou, Benin

Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of diabetic ketosis decompensation, a decade after its previous report in our center. Materials and Method: This was a 3-year retrospective study, including all patients admitted from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2019 for DKA at the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Department of the National and University Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM). Ketosis was defined by the presence of at least 2 acetone crosses on the urine strip. Results: A total of 196 patients were included. The mean age was 43.73 years ± 16.2 years with a sex ratio of 0.96. The prevalence of DKA was 28.99%. The main precipitating factors of DKA were infections (67.86%) and non-compliance to the treatment (29.59%). The most common infections were urogenital (23.30%), respiratory (18.04%) and malaria (32.33%). The mortality was 2.55%. Male subjects (84.36%) had blood glucose levels above 3g/L with a higher mean dose of insulin used (84.71 IU versus 54.29 IU for women p=0.008). Duration of recovery (p=0.008) and length of hospitalization (p=0.006) were statistically longer for men. Conclusion: The prevalence of ketosis decompensations remains high. The main decompensation factors found were infections and non-compliance to treatment. Improving patient care over the past decade had produced a positive impact on mortality, recovery time and length of hospitalization.