Asymptomatic, nonketotic, severe hyperglycemia with hyponatremia

We describe five patients with asymptomatic, nonketotic, severe hyperglycemia (serum glucose concentrations between 45.8 and 92 mmol/L) in the face of renal insufficiency are described. As opposed to most of the previously described patients with hyperglycemic, nonketotic, hyperosmolar coma, our patients were hyponatremic. The lack of symptoms in our patients may be related to the absence of cerebral cellular dehydration. Aggressive treatment of hyperglycemia in such patients is unnecessary. Attention to the serum sodium level as well as to the serum glucose concentration will allow recognition of this clinical entity.