Endocrine Abstracts

Case history: This 55 years old gentleman has past medical history of obesity, type 2 diabetes (since age of 27 yrs.), hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and osteoarthritis. He recently suffered from myocardial infarction discharged 2 days back and presented to emergency department with central chest pain radiating to both arms in the morning.

Investigations: ECG reported as normal and venous blood gas showed pH- 7.10, pCo2- 3.84, pO2- 5.54, glucose- 10, lactate-1.8, bicarbonate- 8.5, base excess 19.2, anion gap 25. And dapagliflozin was stopped as a part of discharge planning and followed up in our diabetes clinic. Urine dipstick revealed Glucose +2, ketone +4, pH 5.

Results and treatment: He was diagnosed to be suffering from euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis & treated as per protocol. When he recovered from (Diabetic ketoacidosis) DKA his insulin was optimised and dapagliflozin was stopped as a part of discharge planning and was followed up in our diabetes clinic.

Conclusions and points for discussion: In patients on dapagliflozin, cases of euglycemic diabetes ketoacidosis are increasingly being reported. Diagnosis of euglycemic diabetes ketoacidosis can be easily missed in the emergency department due to absence of marked hyperglycemia, often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Mechanism of action of dapagliflozin is by selectively inhibiting the transporter protein SGLT2 (Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2) in the renal proximal, which prevents glucose reabsorption and subsequently induces the elimination of filtered glucose via urine, the process is known as ‘glycuresis’ which reduces the blood glucose levels. SGLT-2 inhibitors should be initiated by a clinician cautiously and only after adequately weighing the risks and benefits of treatment. It is advisable to do urine test on patient taking dapagliflozin on admission which will help diagnose euglycemic DKA early. To prevent this potentially dangerous complication, patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors who become ill should discontinue the medication, undergo ketone evaluation, and start basal insulin, if ketones are positive. In addition, patients should be educated to stop their SGLT2 inhibitor at least 1 week prior to elective procedures.