Hyperglycemic DKA in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus on monotherapy with SGLT-2 inhibitor

Background/objective

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are known to increase the risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Hyperglycemic DKA (hDKA), however, is not a common side effect of SGLT-2 inhibitor monotherapy.

Case report

We present a case of hyperglycemic DKA in a middle-aged Caucasian male with a history of type 2 diabetes on monotherapy with an SGLT-2 inhibitor, no history of insulin deficiency or evidence of autoimmune diabetes and no precipitating factors for DKA at presentation. The patient was discharged from the hospital on insulin therapy after resolution of DKA and was transitioned to an oral anti-hyperglycemic regimen which did not include SGLT-2 inhibitors. Close outpatient follow up subsequently revealed declining C-peptide levels and increasing hemoglobin A1C levels without any episodes of DKA.

Discussion

The mechanisms by which SGLT-2 inhibitors cause hDKA are not fully understood and likely involve hyperglucagonemia. Inhibition of SGLT-2 by dapagliflozin has been shown to paradoxically trigger glucagon secretion at higher glucose concentrations possibly due to direct effects on K_ATP channel activation and membrane depolarization in pancreatic α-cells.

Conclusion

We conclude that monotherapy with SGLT-2 inhibitors presents a risk of not just euglycemic, but also hyperglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and declining endogenous insulin production.