Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Odontogenic Infections

On top of improving glycemic control, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality & heart failure hospitalization. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have also been gaining momentum as effective reno-protective agents. Recent evidences have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are transforming the management of heart failure and chronic kidney disease in patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus. In view of the cardioprotective and reno-protective outcomes, as well as the potential benefits that outweigh adverse effects, it is no doubt that there will be continued increased use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. However, with use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors comes risk of adverse effects, in particular diabetic ketoacidosis. Although uncommon, diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening acute metabolic complication. Diabetic ketoacidosis developing during sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors use can present with normal blood glucose concentrations (euglycemia). This atypical presentation can delay diagnosis and hence, treatment. It is therefore crucial for dental practitioners to be cognizant of the increased risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors use, especially during periods of reduced oral intake, such as in patients with odontogenic infection. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis is a diagnosis of exclusion and should be considered as a differential in an ill patient on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, despite normal blood glucose or absent urine ketones. We report a case of starvation ketosis in a patient with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, after excisional biopsy of right cervical lymph node and extractions of two lower right molars. Although the patient did not develop euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis peri-operatively, it was an important diagnosis to exclude considering his high-risk profile of developing euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and the potential sequelae of missing the diagnosis.