Approach to the Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

R. Limited significance of bicarbonate therapy in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis: a rare case report in the periphery of Nepal

Introduction and importance

An uncontrolled hyperglycaemia accompanied by metabolic acidosis and an increase in total body ketone, if left untreated, has the potential to develop into complications, including diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA). Management of this complication with IV hydration, IV Insulin, and potassium (KCL) maintenance is a comprehensive approach. On the contrary, bicarbonate therapy is generally not regarded as a standard treatment due to its unfavourable outcome.

Case presentation

The authors present a case of a 21-year-old female who was brought in a semiconscious state to the emergency department with complaints of pain in the abdomen, headache, and vomiting. DKA was diagnosed following the patient's symptoms and arterial blood gas analysis report. She was managed with IV fluids, IV insulin, and KCL.

Clinical discussion

Generally, pH less than 6.8 has a poor patient survival outcome. Here, the patient presented with pH less than 6.6, where she was managed with the standard regimen without the need to administer bicarbonate therapy.

Conclusion

DKA is a life-threatening condition that can be precipitated by non-adherence to medications and infections with IV insulin and hydration playing a pivotal role in its management while bicarbonate offers no beneficial effect.

The Golden Hour: Early Interventions for Medical Emergencies during Pregnancy

Maternal mortality has increased in the last decades in the United States as a result of increased prevalence of coexisting medical diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and both acquired and congenital heart diseases. Obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine physicians should have the basic medical knowledge to initiate appropriate diagnostic and early therapeutic interventions since they may be the only provider available at the time of presentation. The goal of this article is not to extensively discuss the management of complex medical diseases during pregnancy, rather we provide a concise review of key early medical interventions that will likely result in improved clinical outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine physicians must be familiar with initial basic management of common medical emergencies.. · Management of these complex cases is ideally multidisciplinary.. · Residency/fellowship programs should include common disease management to improve maternal outcomes..

MERS-CoV Confirmation among 6,873 suspected persons and relevant Epidemiologic and Clinical Features, Saudi Arabia - 2014 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Of the three lethal coronaviruses, in addition to the ongoing pandemic-causing SARS-CoV 2, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains in circulation. Information on MERS-CoV has relied on small sample of patients. We updated the epidemiology, laboratory and clinical characteristics, and survival patterns of MERS-CoV retrospectively with the largest sample of followed patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of line-listed records of non-random, continuously admitted patients who were suspected (6,873) or confirmed with MERS-CoV (501) admitted to one of the four MERS-CoV referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia, 2014-2019.

FINDINGS

Of the 6,873 MERS-CoV suspected persons, the majority were male (56%) and Saudi nationals (83%) and 95% had no known history that increased their risk of exposure to MERS-CoV patients or vectors (95%). More confirmed cases reported history that increased their risk of MERS-CoV infection (41%). Among the suspected, MERS-CoV confirmation (7.4% overall) was independently associated with being male, known transmission link to MERS-CoV patients or vectors, fever, symptoms for 7 days, admission through intensive care unit, and diabetes. Among persons with confirmed MERS-CoV, single symptoms were reported by 20%, 3-symptom combinations (fever, cough and dyspnea) reported by 21% and 2-symptom combinations (fever, cough) reported by 16%. Of the two-thirds (62%) of MERS-CoV confirmed patients who presented with co-morbidity, 32% had 2-"comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension). More than half of the MERS-CoV patents showed abnormal chest X-ray, elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine kinase. About a quarter of MERS-CoV patients had positive cultures on blood, urine, or respiratory secretions. During an average hospital stay of 18 days (range 11 to 30), 64% developed complications involving liver, lungs, or kidneys. Ventilation requirement (29% of MERS-CoV cases) was independently associated with abnormal chest X-ray, viremia (Ct value <30), elevated creatinine, and prothrombin time. Death (21% overall) was independently associated with older age, dyspnea and abnormal chest X-ray on admission, and low hemoglobulin levels.

INTERPRETATIONS

With two-thirds of the symptomatic persons developing multiorgan complications MERS-CoV remains the coronavirus with the highest severity (29%) and case fatality rate (21%) among the three lethal coronaviruses. Metabolic abnormalities appear to be an independent risk factor for sustained MERS-CoV transmission. The poorly understood transmission dynamics and non-specific clinical and laboratory features call for high index of suspicion among respiratory disease experts to help early detection of outbreaks. We reiterate the need for case control studies on transmission.

FUNDING

No special funding to declare.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common acute hyperglycaemic emergency in people with diabetes mellitus. A diagnosis of DKA is confirmed when all of the three criteria are present - 'D', either elevated blood glucose levels or a family history of diabetes mellitus; 'K', the presence of high urinary or blood ketoacids; and 'A', a high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Early diagnosis and management are paramount to improve patient outcomes. The mainstays of treatment include restoration of circulating volume, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement and treatment of any underlying precipitating event. Without optimal treatment, DKA remains a condition with appreciable, although largely preventable, morbidity and mortality. In this Primer, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors and diagnosis of DKA and provide practical recommendations for the management of DKA in adults and children.

Association between red blood cell distribution width and mortality in diabetic ketoacidosis

Background

No epidemiological studies have assessed the impact of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) on the prognosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Thus, we investigated whether RDW was associated with mortality in DKA patients.

Material and method

We analyzed data from MIMIC-III. RDW was measured at ICU admission. The relationship between RDW and mortality of DKA was determined using a multivariate Cox regression analysis. The primary outcome of the study was 365-day mortality from the date of ICU admission. We also conducted a subgroup analysis to further confirm the consistency of associations.

Results

In total, 495 critically ill DKA patients were eligible for analysis. In the univariable Cox regression model for 365-day all-cause mortality, RDW was a predictor of all-cause mortality in DKA patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.43). After adjusting for confounders, RDW was still a particularly strong predictor (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.45). The same relationship was also observed for 90-day all-cause mortality (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.65).

Conclusions

High RDW was associated with risk of all-cause mortality in DKA patients in the ICU. RDW was an independent prognostic factor for these patients.

Central Pontine Myelinolysis in Pediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is rarely reported in pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We report this case of a 16-year-old female with new onset diabetes presenting with DKA, who received aggressive fluid resuscitation and sodium bicarbonate in the emergency department. Later she developed altered mental status concerning for cerebral edema and received hyperosmolar therapy with only transient improvement. Soon she became apneic requiring emergent endotracheal intubation. MRI brain showed cerebral edema, CPM, and subdural hemorrhage. She was extubated on day seven and exhibited mild dysmetria, ataxia, unilateral weakness, and neglect. Upon discharge she was able to ambulate with a walker and speak and eat without difficulty. Although less common than cerebral edema, CPM should be considered in DKA patients with acute neurologic deterioration. Fluid and bicarbonate therapy should be individualized, but larger studies would help guide the management. Although poor outcomes are reported in CPM, favorable outcomes are possible.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism with Acidosis: Organic Acidemias and Defects of Pyruvate and Ketone Body Metabolism

When a child presents with high-anion gap metabolic acidosis, the pediatrician can proceed with confidence by recalling some basic principles. Defects of organic acid, pyruvate, and ketone body metabolism that present with acute acidosis are reviewed. Flowcharts for identifying the underlying cause and initiating life-saving therapy are provided. By evaluating electrolytes, blood sugar, lactate, ammonia, and urine ketones, the provider can determine the likelihood of an inborn error of metabolism. Freezing serum, plasma, and urine samples during the acute presentation for definitive diagnostic testing at the provider's convenience aids in the differential diagnosis.