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. 2021 Nov 13;8(1):6-13.
doi: 10.2478/jccm-2021-0024. eCollection 2022 Jan.

The Pathophysiology and Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in COVID-19 Patients: a Literature Review

Mariana Cornelia Tilinca  1 , Maximilian Cosma Gliga  2 , Andreea Varga  1
Affiliations

The Pathophysiology and Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in COVID-19 Patients: a Literature Review

Mariana Cornelia Tilinca et al. J Crit Care Med (Targu Mures). .

Abstract

Diabetic individuals are considered a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and several studies noted worse outcomes, including death, among those who get infected. Diabetic emergencies, such as ketoacidosis (DKA), are common and potentially life-threatening conditions in uncontrolled patients. While the pathophysiological background of the relationship between COVID-19 and DKA is not fully understood, early reports available so far indicate that patients with pre-existing diabetes who get infected with the SARS-CoV 2 virus are at higher risk of DKA. It was also suggested that DKA is a poor prognostic sign for infected patients, these being at higher risk of developing worse forms of COVID-19 disease and having high mortality. Therefore, healthcare personnel dealing with such patients face a considerable challenge, as the correct and safe emergency management of such cases is far from established. This article aimed to conduct a study that reviews the current published data available about patients with DKA and COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; diabetes; ketoacidosis; pandemic; pathogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None to declare.

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