Abstract
Background Diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state are the most serious
diabetic emergencies. Before the discovery of insulin in 1921 by Banting and Best
the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was fatal ending in diabetic ketoacidosis equivalent
to a torturous death. Today, mortality from diabetic ketoacidosis is low at approximately
2 %. But each death from these two acute metabolic complications of diabetes is potentially
avoidable by improved patient and healthcare professional education. Therefore, there
is a need to raise awareness of hyperglycemic crisis and its management amongst physicians.
Pathogenesis Insulin deficiency or resistence and increased concentrations of counterreulatory
hormones (glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol and growth hormone) are responsible for
the development of diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.
Hyperglycemia develops as a result of increased gluconeogenesis and accelerated glyconeogenesis.
In DKA, the absolute insulin deficiency additionally leads to increased lipolysis
and production of ketone bodies and resulting metabolic acidosis.
Diagnosis Both DKA and HHS require prompt recognition and management. The diagnosis can be
suspected by clinical features and confirmed by laboratory findings.
Treatment The treatment of DKA and HHS is similar, including correction of fluid and electrolyte
abnormalities and the administration of insulin.
Die Diabetische Ketoazidose (DKA) und das hyperglykämische Koma sind akut lebensbedrohliche
Komplikationen des Diabetes mellitus. Vor der Entdeckung des Insulins 1922 war die
Diagnose eines Typ-1-Diabetes gleichbedeutend mit einem qualvollen Tod in der DKA.
Heute liegt die Letalität der DKA mit 2 % vergleichbar niedrig. Dennoch bleibt jeder
dieser Todesfälle vermeidbar, nicht zuletzt durch die geeignete Schulung von Patienten
und Ärzten.
Schlüsselwörter
Diabetes mellitus - hyperglykäme Krise - hyperglykäme Notfälle - Coma diabeticum
Key words
diabetes - hyperglycemic crisishyperglycemic emergencies - diabetic coma
