Occurs most commonly in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Contributes to less than 1% of all diabetes-related admissions. However, mortality is high (5% to 15%).
Presents with polyuria, polydipsia, weakness, weight loss, tachycardia, dry mucus membranes, poor skin turgor, hypotension, and, in severe cases, shock.
Altered sensorium (lethargy, disorientation, stupor) is common and correlates best with effective serum osmolality. Coma is rare and, if seen, is usually associated with a serum osmolality >340 mOsm/kg.
Treatment includes correction of fluid deficit and electrolyte abnormalities, and intravenous insulin.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), also known as non-ketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (NKHS), is characterized by profound hyperglycemia (glucose >600 mg/dL), hyperosmolality (effective serum osmolality ≥320 mOsm/kg), and volume depletion in the absence of significant ketoacidosis (pH >7.3 and HCO3 >15 mEq/L), and is a serious complication of diabetes. HHS may be the first presentation of type 2 diabetes.[1]Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Murphy MB, et al. Management of hyperglycemic crises in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2001 Jan;24(1):131-53.
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/24/1/131.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11194218?tool=bestpractice.com
[2]Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Miles JM, et al. Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009 Jul;32(7):1335-43.
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/32/7/1335.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19564476?tool=bestpractice.com
Although both HHS and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are often discussed as distinct entities, they represent 2 points on the spectrum of metabolic derangements in diabetes.[3]Bhattacharyya OK, Estey EA, Cheng AY. Update on the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 clinical practice guidelines. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Jan;55(1):39-43.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2628826/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19155364?tool=bestpractice.com
Both HHS and DKA are characterized by relative or absolute insulin deficiency combined with increased counter-regulatory hormones.[1]Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Murphy MB, et al. Management of hyperglycemic crises in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2001 Jan;24(1):131-53.
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/24/1/131.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11194218?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Wolfsdorf JI, Allgrove J, Craig ME, et al; International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. ISPAD clinical practice consensus guidelines 2014. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Pediatr Diabetes. 2014 Sep;15(suppl 20):154-79.
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ispad.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/CPCG_2014_CHAP_11.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25041509?tool=bestpractice.com
Approximately one third of patients with hyperglycemic crises present with a mixed picture of DKA and HHS.[5]Wachtel TJ, Tetu-Mouradjian LM, Goldman DL, et al. Hyperosmolarity and acidosis in diabetes mellitus: a three-year experience in Rhode Island. J Gen Intern Med. 1991 Nov-Dec;6(6):495-502.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1765864?tool=bestpractice.com