A Case Study of Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Christy C Greenhalgh1, Amy Bigham, Tonya D Shanahan
1Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.
Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal
|April 18, 2025
Summary
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) is a rare but serious condition, often missed due to normal blood sugar levels. Increased awareness and prompt diagnosis are crucial for managing this sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor side effect.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Euglycemic DKA (euDKA) is an uncommon variant presenting without significant hyperglycemia.
- The increasing use of SGLT2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is linked to a rise in euDKA cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase awareness of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA).
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with euDKA.
- To present the clinical presentation and management strategies for euDKA.
Main Methods:
- Case study approach.
- Review of clinical presentation.
- Analysis of management strategies.
Main Results:
- euDKA diagnosis can be delayed due to the absence of pronounced hyperglycemia.
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are frequently associated with euDKA.
- Prompt recognition and management are vital for patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- euDKA poses a diagnostic challenge in patients, particularly those on SGLT2 inhibitors.
- Increased clinical vigilance is necessary for timely euDKA diagnosis and treatment.
- Further research into SGLT2 inhibitor-associated euDKA is warranted.
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