Acute Metabolic Emergencies in Diabetes and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case reports (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Background COVID-19 is associated with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), HHS (Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar State) and EDKA (Euglycaemic DKA). High mortality has been observed in COVID-19-related diabetic ketoacidosis; however, evidence is scarce. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted using EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar from January to December 2020 to identify all case reports describing DKA, HHS, and EDKA, in COVID-19 patients. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for case reports was used for quality assessment. Univariate and multivariate analysis assessed correlations of study origin, combined DKA/HHS, age, BMI, HbA1c, administered antidiabetics, comorbidities, symptoms onset, disease status (DS), CRP, ferritin, d-dimers, glucose, osmolarity, pH, bicarbonates, ketones, lactates, β-hydroxybutyric acid, anion gap, and acute kidney injury (AKI) with outcome. The relevant protocol was submitted to PROSPERO database (ID 229356). Results From 312 identified publications, 41 including 71 cases analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The types of acute metabolic emergencies observed were DKA (45/71, 63.4%), EDKA (6/71, 8.5%), combined DKA/HHS (19/71, 26.8%), and HHS (1/71, 1.4%). Overall mortality was 32.4% (22/68 patients; 3 missing). Multivariate analysis by classical regression demonstrated that COVID-19 DS4 (P=3•10 −8 ), presence of DKA/HHS (P=0.021), and development of AKI (P=0.037) were all independently correlated with death. Increased DS (P=0.003), elevated lactates (P<0.001), augmented anion gap (P<0.001), and presence of AKI (P=0.002) were associated with DKA/HHS. SGLT-2i administration was linked with EDKA (P=0.004); however, a negative association with AKI was noted (P=0.023). Conclusion COVID-19 intertwines with acute metabolic emergencies in diabetes leading to increased mortality. Key determinants are critical COVID-19 illness, coexistence of DKA/HHS and AKI. Awareness of clinicians to timely assess them might enable early detection and immediate treatment commencing. As previous treatment with was negatively associated with AKI, thus implying a prophylactic effect on renal function, the issue of discontinuation of SGLT-2i in COVID-19 patients remains to be further evaluated. Key messages What is already known on this subject ▸ Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. ▸ Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are not rare in COVID-19 diabetic and non-diabetic patients; key determinants of outcome remain unknown. What this study adds ▸ COVID-19 intertwines with acute metabolic emergencies in diabetes leading to increased mortality; key determinants are critical COVID-19 illness, coexistence of DKA and HHS as well as development of acute kidney injury. ▸ SGLT2-i administration is linked with euglycaemic DKA in patients with COVID-19, though preserving renal function.