Continuous glucose monitors improve diabetic ketoacidosis management

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication for people with diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin and starts breaking down fat, which leads to a dangerous buildup of acids in the bloodstream. Common symptoms include thirst, weakness, nausea, and confusion. DKA results in over 500,000 hospital days each year, costing around $2.4 billion. Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help manage DKA more effectively. In a new study published in CHEST Critical Care, they showed that CGMs provide accurate glucose readings during DKA, which could help hospitals manage patient care and reduce intensive care unit (ICU) congestion. Currently, treating DKA requires frequent blood glucose checks via fingersticks, which can be uncomfortable for patients and burdensome for nurses. Using CGMs could simplify this process. They are placed on the skin and measure glucose levels continuously. The study conducted from March to August 2023 monitored 20 patients. Researchers compared readings from CGMs and standard hourly fingerstick tests. They found that CGMs accurately detected changes in blood sugar levels more rapidly and were similar in accuracy to fingerstick results. Dr. Nate Haas, who led the study, believes that this technology can enhance patient care and potentially reduce the number of ICU admissions for DKA. He aims to develop further clinical trials to explore this approach more thoroughly. This research involved a collaborative effort between various medical specialties. Haas hopes their findings will lead to improved outcomes for patients with DKA and help ease the strain on ICU resources.