ABSTRACT
Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) implicates poor tissue perfusion, functionally defective mucosal barrier, and corrosive injury of the esophageal mucosa, typically characterized by diffuse, circumferential greyish or black discoloration of the esophagus in esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Low-volume states, as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), predispose to AEN. Cola drinks diminish the esophageal pH by decreasing the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. We report a 47-year-old male shepherd with chest pain, nausea, odynophagia and gradual decline in level of consciousness, who reported consumption of 6-7 L of cola beverages per day, and was diagnosed with DKA. The patient had a record of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease, and he was administered empagliflozin 25 mg q24 hours, vildagliptin 50 mg bid, metformin 1000 mg bid, and insulin glargine 24 IU q 24. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was indicative of a diffuse, edematous, and eroded mucosa of grey colour from the upper to the lower esophageal sphincter. CT scan supported the diagnosis, revealing diffuse thickening and edematous imaging of the esophageal wall with an abnormal edge of the mucosa in the lower half of the esophagus. Seven days after rigorous treatment with fluid resuscitation, insulin restoration, esomeprazole, fluconazole, cefoxitine, and metronidazole, the patient was ameliorated. A second endoscopy revealed obvious improvement. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of DKA/AEN intertwining are thoroughly discussed. In conclusion, clinicians should not disregard AEN in the differential diagnosis of patients with DKA and clinical symptoms of esophagitis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00537-y.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: COVID-19 is associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) and euglycaemic DKA (EDKA); however, evidence regarding parameters affecting outcome and mortality rates is scarce. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted using EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar from January 2020 to 7 January 2021 to identify all studies describing clinical profile, outcome and mortality rates regarding DKA, HHS, DKA/HHS and EDKA cases in COVID-19 patients. The appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for quality assessment; quality of evidence was approached using GRADE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess correlations between clinical characteristics and outcome based on case reports. Combined mortality rates (CMR) were estimated from data reported in case report series, cross-sectional studies, and meta-analyses. The protocol was submitted to PROSPERO (ID: 229356/230737). RESULTS: From 312 identified publications, 44 were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Critical COVID-19 necessitating ICU (P = 3 × 10-8), DKA/HHS presence (P = 0.021), and AKI (P = 0.037) were independently correlated with death. Increased COVID-19 severity (P = 0.003), elevated lactates (P < 0.001), augmented anion gap (P < 0.001), and AKI (P = 0.002) were associated with DKA/HHS. SGLT-2i were linked with EDKA (P = 0.004) and negatively associated with AKI (P = 0.023). CMR was 27.1% (95% CI 11.2-46.9%) with considerable heterogeneity (I 2 = 67%). CONCLUSION: Acute diabetes-related metabolic emergencies in COVID-19 patients lead to increased mortality; key determinants are critical COVID-19 illness, coexistence of DKA/HHS and AKI. Previous SGLT-2i treatment, though associated with EDKA, might preserve renal function in COVID-19 patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00502-9.
