Ketosis-Prone Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Unusual Presentation

Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes is a form of diabetes that usually presents with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients who are not insulin dependent. It is commonly seen in African, African American, and Hispanic populations. Although the pathogenesis is not fully understood yet, it is believed to be caused by stress-induced reversible beta-cell and alpha-cell dysfunction in the pancreas. Here, we describe the case of an 80-year-old white female with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus who had unexplained DKA in the setting of a urinary tract infection. The patient's DKA resolved after administering appropriate therapy, and she did not require treatment with insulin on discharge.