Is It Really Diabetic Ketoacidosis? Double Trouble

Year 2014, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 97 - 99, 01.04.2014

Filiz Baloglu Kaya , Arif Alper Çevik Şeyhmus Kaya Engin Ozakın Nurdan Acar

Abstract

Introduction: In a patient admitted to the emergency service with complaints of nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, and polyuria and with findings of hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and acidosis, the first diagnosis to be considered is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is more common among young patients, of whom 50% to 85% are adults. Uremia, lactic acidosis, and intoxication with drugs and substances, such as salicylates, methanol, paraldehyde, and ethylene glycol, may present clinically as diabetic ketoacidosis.Case Report: In this paper, we presented an 18-year-old patient who was first treated with the diagnosis of DKA and was diagnosed with salicylate intoxication afterwards during the emergency service follow-up. Conclusion: The final diagnosis and necessary treatment might be impeded in such patients if the treatment is initiated considering DKA. Thus, when the clinical findings cannot be explained with the history, physical exam, and laboratory tests, intoxication with drugs, particularly with easily accessible salicylates, should be undoubtedly considered

Keywords

Diabetic ketoacidosis, salicylate, intoxication

Gerçekten Diyabetik Ketoasidoz mu? Çifte Bela

Abstract

Introduction: In a patient admitted to the emergency service with complaints of nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, and polyuria and with findings of hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and acidosis, the first diagnosis to be considered is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is more common among young patients, of whom 50% to 85% are adults. Uremia, lactic acidosis, and intoxication with drugs and substances, such as salicylates, methanol, paraldehyde, and ethylene glycol, may present clinically as diabetic ketoacidosis.   Case Report: In this paper, we presented an 18-year-old patient who was first treated with the diagnosis of DKA and was diagnosed with salicylate intoxication afterwards during the emergency service follow-up.   Conclusion: The final diagnosis and necessary treatment might be impeded in such patients if the treatment is initiated considering DKA. Thus, when the clinical findings cannot be explained with the history, physical exam, and laboratory tests, intoxication with drugs, particularly with easily accessible salicylates, should be undoubtedly considered.

Keywords

Diabetic ketoacidosis, salicylate, intoxication

References

• Derinoz O, Bas VN, Bakırtas A. Salicylate Intoxication Mimicking Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Case Report. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası [Ankara University Journal of the Faculty of Medicine] 2008; 61: 29-31.
• Bideci A, Yesilkaya E. Letter to the Editor. Salicylate intoxication masquerading as diabetic ketoacidosis in a child. Pediatrics International 2008; 50: 605. doi:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2008.02699.x. [CrossRef]
• Charfen MA, Frackelton MF. Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Emerg Med Clin N Am. 2005; 23: 609-28. [CrossRef]
• Satman I. Diyabette Hiperglisemik Krizler [Hyperglycemic Crises in Diabetics]. Turkiye Klinikleri J Surg Med Sci 2006; 2: 1-11.
• Flamenbaum NE. Salicylates. In Nelson LS et al (eds). Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. 9th ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill; 2011. p.508-19.
• O’Malley GF. Emergency Department Management of the Salicylate- Poisoned Patient. Emerg Med Clin N Am 2007; 25: 333-46. [CrossRef]