Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Clinical Suspicion and Diagnosis

Abstract

With the introduction of sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors, the incidence and awareness of euglycemic DKA have been increasing. This condition is a distinct subset of DKA without marked hyperglycemia. It can arise in various clinical settings, present with non-specific symptoms, and is thus prone to underdiagnosis. A set of circumstances (SGLT2i users during major stress, pregnancy with diabetes), clinical findings (non-specific GI symptoms, lassitude), and biochemical changes (ketonemia and metabolic acidosis) are consistent findings in the majority of cases of euglycemic DKA. Awareness that diabetic ketoacidosis can occur with normoglycemia, and leveraging the use of blood ketone tests, including meter kits, will significantly improve the diagnosis of euglycemic DKA.