Potentially life-threatening emergency
Diabetic ketoacidosis in Adult
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Symptoms have a rapid onset (< 24 hours) and include polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, and abdominal pain. The hyperosmolality can cause neurologic symptoms, such as mental obtundation and coma.
Patients taking sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors (eg, for diabetes mellitus type 2) may be at increased risk for DKA.
The treatment of DKA includes the correction of electrolyte and fluid abnormalities along with the administration of insulin.
Codes
ICD10CM:E13.10 – Other specified diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma
SNOMEDCT:
420422005 – Ketoacidosis in diabetes mellitus
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis (see metabolic acidosis)
- Starvation ketosis (relatively mild)
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Uremic acidosis (see metabolic acidosis)
- Toxic encephalopathy
- Alcoholic intoxication
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:02/21/2019
Last Updated:08/31/2020
Last Updated:08/31/2020
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Diabetic ketoacidosis in Adult