Emphysematous Cystitis and Urinary Retention in a Male Patient With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Treated With Empagliflozin

Gina M Brock; Sarah M Lane; Theodore S Roosevelt

doi:10.1016/j.aace.2022.04.002

Emphysematous Cystitis and Urinary Retention in a Male Patient With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Treated With Empagliflozin

AACE Clin Case Rep. 2022 Apr 8;8(4):163-165. doi: 10.1016/j.aace.2022.04.002. eCollection 2022 Jul-Aug.

Authors

Gina M Brock¹, Sarah M Lane², Theodore S Roosevelt²

Affiliations

¹ Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Meridian, Idaho.
² Idaho Diabetes-Endocrine Associates, Boise, Idaho.

Abstract

Objective: Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare urinary tract infection (UTI) typically associated with severe diabetes in older women. We present a unique case of this gas-forming infection in a man with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with empagliflozin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of EC associated with the use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i).

Case report: A 62-year-old man with T2DM treated with an SGLT2i developed EC. His moderately controlled T2DM was treated for over 20 years with metformin, saxagliptin/metformin, and pioglitazone to which empagliflozin was added due to his consistently elevated hemoglobin A1c level, slightly reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria. Four months after initiation of the SGLT2i, he reported lower urinary tract symptoms and was found to have EC radiographically. His urine cultures were positive for Klebsiella pneumonia and was found to have asymptomatic urinary retention. He was treated conservatively, and his outcome was favorable.

Discussion: EC is commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus, and symptoms range from asymptomatic to severe sepsis. Most urine cultures grow Escherichia coli and K. pneumonia. The association of increased UTIs in susceptible patients with T2DM with the use of SGLT2i is yet to be determined. Most cases of EC are diagnosed radiographically and treated conservatively, although some cases require surgical intervention.

Conclusion: Initially, our patient was considered a good candidate for treatment with an SGLT2i. The subsequent development of EC precluded its further use. The role of SGLT2i in patients with T2DM susceptible to UTI is controversial.

Keywords: CT, computed tomography; EC, emphysematous cystitis; ER, extended-release; FG, Fournier gangrene; GU, genitourinary; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; LUT, lower urinary tract; PVR, postvoid residual; SGLT2 inhibitors; SGLT2i, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; US, ultrasound; UTI, urinary tract infection; diabetes mellitus type 2; empagliflozin; emphysematous cystitis; urinary tract infection.

Publication types

Case Reports