Insulin Requirements for Patients With COVID-19 Presenting With Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Introduction Recent literature has shown that patients with COVID-19 and diabetic ketoacidosis may require more aggressive treatment than those with diabetic ketoacidosis alone. The primary objective of this study was to assess if intravenous regular human insulin infusion requirements in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis differed between patients with or without COVID-19. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with diabetic ketoacidosis who received intravenous regular human insulin infusion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary outcome was the amount of intravenous regular human insulin infusion requirements needed during the diabetic ketoacidosis episode. Results Of the 77 patients that met inclusion criteria, 35 were positive for COVID-19 and 42 were negative. The primary outcome of total intravenous regular human insulin infusion requirements needed during the diabetic ketoacidosis episode was not statistically significant and resulted in 1.79±0.61 units/kg/day in the COVID-19 positive group and 1.81±0.6 units/kg/day in the negative group (p=1). Secondary outcomes that were statistically significant between groups were the amount of fluids received in the first 24 hours, potassium supplementation, phosphate supplementation, acute kidney injury, and hypokalemia. Conclusion There was no difference in intravenous regular human insulin infusion requirements in the setting of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) between COVID-19 positive and negative patients.