Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2-induced euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis unmasks latent autoimmune diabetes in a patient misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a case report

BACKGROUND: Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis is an uncommon but life-threatening complication associated with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors that causes lower than expected blood glucose levels typically seen in diabetic ketoacidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 64-year-old Caucasian male patient previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor who developed severe ketoacidosis. Serum glucose levels on initial presentation were slightly above normal baseline level. The patient was revealed to have latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of prescribing sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors to the correct patient population and the significance of accurately differentiating between various types of diabetes.