This week looking at something different, a diabetic condition which has up to 20x the mortality of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) – previously referred to as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma (HONK) – is a metabolic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) characterised by severe hyperglycemia, extreme dehydration, hyperosmolar plasma, and altered consciousness. It most often occurs in type 2 DM, often in the setting of physiologic stress.
HHS is diagnosed by severe hyperglycemia and plasma hyperosmolality and absence of significant ketosis. Complications include coma, seizures, and death. It has an estimated mortality rate of up to 20%, which is significantly higher than the mortality for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), currently < 1%.
Further reading, if interested, can be found at:
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/may/hyperglycaemic-presentations-in-type-2-diabetes
Remember that each of these discussions count towards your annual CPD total – perhaps only a few minutes for reading my post, but longer if you read the linked article.
