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3.12.1 - Diabetic Emergencies

from Section 3.12 - Endocrine Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2023

Ned Gilbert-Kawai
Affiliation:
The Royal Liverpool Hospital
Debashish Dutta
Affiliation:
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow
Carl Waldmann
Affiliation:
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
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Summary

Key Learning Points

  1. 1. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) have a high mortality rate and require prompt identification and management.

  2. 2. Fluid resuscitation is often the most important therapeutic intervention in both groups, and patients with HHS often need no exogenous insulin at all.

  3. 3. The high mortality rate often results from electrolyte disturbances, particularly hypokalaemia in DKA. It should be very closely monitored, particularly in the early phase of treatment.

  4. 4. Thromboembolism is a life-threatening complication in both groups of patients, so always consider thromboprophylaxis early.

  5. 5. Look for common precipitating factors in all patients, but be aware that the white cell count and amylase, sodium and creatinine levels can all be abnormal in otherwise uncomplicated diabetic emergencies.

Type
Chapter
Information
Intensive Care Medicine
The Essential Guide
, pp. 377 - 380
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

References and Further Reading

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes data and statistics. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/dataGoogle Scholar
Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Care Group. 2013. The management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in adults, September 2013. www.diabetes.org.ukGoogle Scholar
Scott, AR; Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care; JBDS hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic guidelines group. Management of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state in adults with diabetes. Diabet Med 2015;32:714-24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
[No authors listed]. Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: abbreviated Report of a WHO Consultation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011.Google Scholar

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