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Fasting-Associated Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Patient on SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy: A Rare and Challenging Diagnostic Dilemma in the Emergency Department.

Vijay Kumar S.S., Ananth Prasad Rao H.T., Shabbir Shekhli, Anila Jose

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(2):p 131-135, April - June 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11225.10

How Cite This Article:

Kumar SS, Rao HT, et al. Fasting-associated euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient on SGLT2 inhibitor therapy: a rare and challenging diagnostic dilemma in the emergency department. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(2):131-5.

Timeline

Received : January 20, 2025         Accepted : February 28, 2025          Published : June 05, 2025

Abstract

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (eDKA) is a rare but life-threatening condition that can occur in patients taking sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, particularly under conditions of metabolic stress, such as fasting. We report the case of a 45-year-old male with type 2 diabetes who presented to the emergency department with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and tachypnea following prolonged fasting during a religious observance. Despite normal blood glucose levels, he was diagnosed with eDKA, likely triggered by the combined effects of fasting and SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering eDKA in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors, even with normal glucose levels, particularly during periods of fasting or metabolic stress. The management of eDKA follows the principles of traditional diabetic ketoacidosis treatment, including insulin infusion, fluid resuscitation, and electrolyte correction. Awareness of this rare complication is crucial for emergency physicians to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention.


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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available.

Funding

None

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

The Institute Ethics Committee, RRMCH Bangalore.

Acknowledgements

Information not provided.

Conflicts of Interest

Nil


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Cite this article

Kumar SS, Rao HT, et al. Fasting-associated euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient on SGLT2 inhibitor therapy: a rare and challenging diagnostic dilemma in the emergency department. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(2):131-5.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

 This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
January 20, 2025 February 28, 2025 June 05, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11225.10

Keywords

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (eDKA)SGLT2 InhibitorsFastingEmergency Department

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Received January 20, 2025
Accepted February 28, 2025
Published June 05, 2025

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

 This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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