Delayed diagnosis of severe diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor: a case report

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but may induce diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Owing to their pharmacological mechanisms, they cause a different pathogenesis to that of typical DKA and require special attention in terms of blood glucose concentrations and acidosis. We describe a case of prolonged acidosis because of failure to immediately discover the use of an SGLT2 inhibitor. Compared with typical DKA, SGLT2 inhibitor-associated DKA requires earlier and longer glucose supplementation. SGLT2 inhibitors are specific aetiological factors in DKA, and their use should be suspected when the patient presents with mild hyperglycaemia or prolonged acidosis.