Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
Other names	Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma (HHNC), hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma (HONK), nonketotic hyperosmolar coma, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)
Video describing diabetes and its complications, including HHS.
Specialty	Endocrinology
Symptoms	Signs of dehydration, altered level of consciousness
Complications	Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, mesenteric artery occlusion, rhabdomyolysis
Usual onset	Days to weeks
Duration	Few days
Risk factors	Infections, stroke, trauma, certain medications, heart attacks
Diagnostic method	Blood tests
Differential diagnosis	Diabetic ketoacidosis
Treatment	Intravenous fluids, insulin, low molecular weight heparin, antibiotics
Prognosis	~15% risk of death
Frequency	Relatively common

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a complication of diabetes mellitus in which high blood sugar results in high osmolarity without significant ketoacidosis. Symptoms include signs of dehydration, weakness, legs cramps, trouble seeing, and an altered level of consciousness. Onset is typically over days to weeks. Complications may include seizures, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, mesenteric artery occlusion, or rhabdomyolysis.

The main risk factor is a history of diabetes mellitus type 2. Occasionally it may occur in those without a prior history of diabetes or those with diabetes mellitus type 1. Triggers include infections, stroke, trauma, certain medications, and heart attacks. Diagnosis is based on blood tests finding a blood sugar greater than 30 mmol/L (600 mg/dL), osmolarity greater than 320 mOsm/kg, and a pH above 7.3.

Initial treatment generally consists of intravenous fluids to manage dehydration, intravenous insulin in those with significant ketones, low molecular weight heparin to decrease the risk of blood clotting, and antibiotics among those in whom there is concerns of infection. The goal is a slow decline in blood sugar levels. Potassium replacement is often required as the metabolic problems are corrected. Efforts to prevent diabetic foot ulcers are also important. It typically takes a few days for the person to return to baseline.

While the exact frequency of the condition is unknown, it is relatively common. Older people are most commonly affected. The risk of death among those affected is about 15%. It was first described in the 1880s.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of high blood sugar including increased thirst (polydipsia), increased volume of urination (polyurea), and increase hunger (polyphagia).

Symptoms of HSS include:

• Altered level of consciousness
• Neurologic signs including: blurred vision, headaches, focal seizures, myoclonic jerking, reversible paralysis
• Motor abnormalities including flaccidity, depressed reflexes, tremors or fasiciculations
• Hyperviscosity and increased risk of blood clot formation
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure with standing

Cause

The main risk factor is a history of diabetes mellitus type 2. Occasionally it may occur in those without a prior history of diabetes or those with diabetes mellitus type 1. Triggers include infections, stroke, trauma, certain medications, and heart attacks.

Other risk factors:

• Lack of sufficient insulin (but enough to prevent ketosis)
• Poor kidney function
• Poor fluid intake (dehydration)
• Older age (50-70 years)
• Certain medical conditions (cerebral vascular injury, myocardial infarction, sepsis)
• Some medications (glucocorticoids, beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, phenytoin)

Pathophysiology

HHS is usually precipitated by an infection, myocardial infarction, stroke or another acute illness. A relative insulin deficiency leads to a serum glucose that is usually higher than 33 mmol/L (600 mg/dL), and a resulting serum osmolarity that is greater than 320 mOsm. This leads to excessive urination (more specifically an osmotic diuresis), which, in turn, leads to volume depletion and hemoconcentration that causes a further increase in blood glucose level. Ketosis is absent because the presence of some insulin inhibits hormone-sensitive lipase mediated fat tissue breakdown.

Diagnosis

Criteria

According to the American Diabetes Association, diagnostic features include:

• Plasma glucose level >30 mmol/L (>600 mg/dL)
• Serum osmolality >320 mOsm/kg
• Profound dehydration, up to an average of 9L (and therefore substantial thirst (polydipsia))
• Serum pH >7.40
• Bicarbonate >15 mEq/L
• Small ketonuria (~+ on dipstick) and absent-to-low ketonemia (<3 mmol/L)
• Some alteration in consciousness
• BUN > 30 md/dL (increased)
• Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL (increased)

Imaging

Cranial imaging is not used for diagnosis of this condition. However, if MRI is performed, it may show cortical restricted diffusion with unusual characteristics of reversible T2 hypointensity in the subcortical white matter.

Differential diagnosis

The major differential diagnosis is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In contrast to DKA, serum glucose levels in HHS are extremely high, usually greater than 600 mg/dL, but metabolic acidosis is absent or mild. A temporary state of confusion (delirium) is also more common in HHS than DKA. Although traditionally DKA has been associated with Type I Diabetes, whereas HHS has been associated with Type II, HHS can be seen in people of both types. HHS also tends to have an elderly preponderance.

Similarities/Differences between DKA and HHS

DKA involves a serum glucose level greater than 300 mg/dL (HHS is >600 mg/dL). DKA usually occurs in type 1 diabetics whereas HHS is more common in type 2 diabetics. DKA is characterized by a rapid onset, and HHS occurs gradually over a few days. DKA also is characterized by ketosis due to the breakdown of fat for energy.

Both DKA and HHS may show symptoms of dehydration, polydipsia (extreme thirst), polyuria (excessive urination), polyphagia (extreme hunger), weight loss, nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain, blurred vision, headaches, weakness, and orthostatic hypotension.

Symptoms unique to DKA include fruity breath (due to ketone bodies collecting in blood), kussmaul respirations (rapid and deep), and metabolic acidosis. Symptoms unique to HHS include seizures, myoclonic jerking, and reversible paralysis. 

Management

Intravenous fluids

Treatment of HHS begins with reestablishing tissue perfusion using intravenous fluids. People with HHS can be dehydrated by 8 to 12  liters. Attempts to correct this usually take place over 24 hours with initial rates of normal saline often in the range of 1 L/h for the first few hours or until the condition stabilizes.

Electrolyte replacement

Severe potassium deficits often occur in HHS. They usually range around 350 mEq in a 70 kg person. This is generally replaced at a rate 10 mEq per hour as long as there is adequate urinary output.

Insulin

Insulin is given to reduce blood glucose concentration; however, as it also causes the movement of potassium into cells, serum potassium levels must be sufficiently high or dangerously low blood potassium levels may result. Once potassium levels have been verified to be greater than 3.3 mEq/l, then an insulin infusion of 0.1 units/kg/hr is started.