Diagnosis and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state.
Diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state are the most serious complications of diabetic decompensation and remain associated with excess mortality. Insulin deficiency is the main underlying abnormality. Associated with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones, insulin deficiency can trigger hepatic glucose production and reduced glucose uptake, resulting in hyperglycemia, and can also stimulate lipolysis and ketogenesis, resulting in ketoacidosis. Both hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia will induce osmotic diuresis, which leads to dehydration. Clinical diagnosis is based on the finding of dehydration along with high capillary glucose levels with or without ketones in the urine or plasma. The diagnosis is confirmed by the blood pH, serum bicarbonate level and serum osmolality. Treatment consists of adequate correction of the dehydration, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and electrolyte deficits.
Chiasson
Jean-Louis
JL
Division of Endocrinology-Metabolism, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, and the Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC. jean.louis.chiasson@umontreal.ca
Aris-Jilwan
Nahla
N
Bélanger
Raphaël
R
Bertrand
Sylvie
S
Beauregard
Hugues
H
Ekoé
Jean-Marie
JM
Fournier
Hélène
H
Havrankova
Jana
J
D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000097:blood; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003663:Decision Trees; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006944:Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000097:blood
D001639:Bicarbonates; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D010710:Phosphates; D011188:Potassium