Success of Insulin Infusion Transitions in Moderate to Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis With Transition Anion Gap of Less Than or Equal to 12 mEq/L Versus Greater Than 12 mEq/L

Abstract

Background: Patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are transitioned from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SQ) insulin upon DKA resolution. Although an anion gap (AG) ≤12 mEq/L is recommended before transition to SQ insulin, there are limited data to support this threshold. Objective: To compare the rates of successful transitions to SQ insulin in patients with DKA with an AG ≤ 12 mEq/L versus > 12 mEq/L. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adult critically ill patients with moderate to severe DKA between September 2019 and December 2022. The primary outcome was the success of insulin transition between patients transitioned with an AG ≤ 12 mEq/L and those transitioned with an AG > 12 mEq/L. Transition was considered successful if the AG did not increase above the value at transition at 24 hours and insulin infusion was not restarted. Secondary outcomes include the individual components of the primary outcome and ICU length of stay (LOS); safety outcomes included hypoglycemia and electrolyte derangements. Results: In total, 92 patients were included, with 43 patients transitioned at AG ≤ 12 mEq/L and 49 patients transitioned at AG > 12 mEq/L. Transition was unsuccessful in 3 patients (7%) with AG ≤ 12 mEq/L and 2 patients (4%) with AG > 12 mEq/L (P = .66). There was no difference in the incidence of the individual components of this outcome between groups or in safety outcomes. Conclusion: This retrospective study showed no difference in success of insulin transition between the groups. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the impact of treatment characteristics on transition success and patient outcomes.