DKA in Diet-Controlled Patient With Type 2 Diabetes and ESRD Precipitated by Acute COVID-19

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the main factor for the global rise in end stage renal disease (ESRD), accounting for about 45% of the dialysis patient population in United States. Although T2DM is a common cause for ESRD, it is uncommon for well controlled T2DM patients on dialysis to develop DKA. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted infections as a precipitating cause of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and stresses the importance of optimal glycemic control. We report a case of a previously diet controlled patient with T2DM and ESRD admitted with DKA and acute COVID-19. 46-year-old male with diet controlled T2DM, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) on HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), ESRD secondary to HIV associated nephropathy was admitted from an outpatient dialysis unit with vomiting, chills and body aches. He was on metformin monotherapy prior to dialysis initiation. Regular self-monitored blood glucoses ranged 80-130mg/dl with HbA1C of 6% one month prior. Lab tests on admit revealed serum glucose 499mg/dl, elevated anion gap 21mmol/L, potassium 3.5mmol/L (3.5–5.0), HbA1C: 14.7%, elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate 5.6mmol/L(normal:<=0.4), CD4 count 500 (489–1457/µL) with an undetectable HIV viral load however COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction was detectable. He was managed with cautious fluid resuscitation requiring a total of one-liter normal saline, higher potassium dialysate (3K+), and continuous insulin infusion with resolution of abdominal symptoms and DKA. No other infections or precipitating factors were found and acute COVID-19 infection was managed symptomatically. He was discharged on basal bolus insulin regimen on day seven of admit. Up to a third of patients with diabetes on dialysis do not require anti-hyperglycemic therapy, such as our case. Potential factors leading to reduced insulin requirements include reduced renal insulin clearance,reduced renal gluconeogenesis, protein-energy wasting, reduced body weight and accumulation of uremic toxins (guanidino compounds postulated to act as biguanide agents). Our case highlights that acute COVID-19 can precipitate DKA in previously well controlled T2DM patients on hemodialysis while being aware of the need for cautious fluid and potassium administration due to lack of osmotic diuresis in anuric dialysis patients. Close self-monitoring of blood glucose should be emphasized in patients withT2DM with ESRD, including diet controlled T2DM patients, in order to reduce hyperglycemic emergencies and inpatient admissions especially during COVID-19 pandemic.