Emergency in diabetes

Contents
Preface Contributors 1 Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Adults Definition Mortality Precipitating factors Pathogenesis Fluid and electrolyte depletion Clinical features Diagnosis Treatment Complications of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults Further reading 2 Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Childhood Introduction Definition Pathophysiology Differential diagnosis Management Further reading 3 HyperosmolarNon-ketotic Hyperglycaemia Pathogenesis Diagnosis Treatment Further reading vii ix 1 4 5 6 7 12 14 16 22 30 31 33 34 35 35 37 39 53 55 56 60 62 71

Preface
Diabetes mellitus can usually be reasonably well controlled on a day-to-day basis with modern drug regimens. Nonetheless, the risks of metabolic decompensation and iatrogenic hypoglycaemia remain close at hand. Life threatening hyperglycaemia– with or without ketosis – may be precipitated by intercurrent illness or interruption of antidiabetic therapy; new cases of diabetes frequently present as hyperglycaemic emergencies. Clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes after myocardial infarction or surgery may be compromised by sub-optimal metabolic control, the presence of chronic co-morbidity in the form of microvascularcomplications or atherosclerosis magnifying these risks. Pregnancy continues to present particular hazards for mother and fetus. Considerable evidence has now accumulated pointing to the prospect of improved outcomes for more patients with diabetes through meticulous attention to clinical care. Inevitably, many patients will experience temporary periods of metabolic instability that can be difficult to manageeven in a controlled hospital environment. Experienced clinicians will attest to the challenges often presented by patients with diabetic metabolic emergencies. This book has been written by experienced authors and investigators, each an expert in his or her field. The chapters aspire to present the salient features of each emergency in an accessible format. We hope the book will be of value to arange of health care professionals who care for patients with diabetes. AJK Southampton, UK February 2004

Contributors
Aftab M. Ahmad, MD Department of Medicine Royal Liverpool Hospital Prescott Street Liverpool L7 8XP UK Mark R. Burge, MD University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Medicine/ Endocrinology – 5ACC Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA Kathleen M. Colleran, MD University ofNew Mexico School of Medicine Department of Medicine/ Endocrinology – 5ACC Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA David B. Dunger, MD FRCP Department of Paediatrics Box 116, University of Cambridge Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge CB2 2QQ UK Julie A. Edge Paediatric Department The John Radcliffe Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU UK

John E. Gerich, MD University of Rochester School of Medicine Department of MedicineRochester, NY 14642 USA

Simon R. Heller, DM FRCP Clinical Sciences Centre Northern General Hospital Sheffield S5 7AU UK

Helen B. Holt, MB ChB MRCP (UK) Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Southampton SO16 6YD UK

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Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Adults
Andrew J Krentz and Helen B Holt

Summary
Diabetic ketoacidosis has a reported average mortality of approximately five per cent inWestern countries. Mortality is generally higher at the extremes of age. Common precipitating causes include infection, insulin management errors, omission of insulin and new cases of diabetes; in many cases no cause is obvious. Although traditionally considered uncommon in patients with type 2 diabetes, reports in recent years have drawn attention to diabetic ketoacidosis in non-white patients whoare often able to discontinue insulin after recovery. Ketoacidosis develops when there is an absolute or, more commonly, a relative insulin deficiency, usually in concert with an increase in catabolic hormone concentrations. Hepatic overproduction of glucose and ketone bodies is compounded by diminished clearance in peripheral tissues.
Emergencies in Diabetes Edited by Andrew J. Krentz # 2004...