Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Spencer S Lovegrove; Sarah B Dubbs

doi:10.1016/j.emc.2023.07.001

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2023 Nov;41(4):687-696. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.07.001. Epub 2023 Aug 19.

Authors

Spencer S Lovegrove¹, Sarah B Dubbs²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 South Paca Street, 6th Floor Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 South Paca Street, 6th Floor Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: sdubbs@som.umaryland.edu.

PMID: 37758417
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.07.001

Abstract

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is an underrecognized diabetic emergency with high morbidity and mortality. Many features of HHS overlap with those of diabetic ketoacidosis but key differentiators for HHS are serum osmolality greater than 320 mOsm/kg, lack of metabolic acidosis, and minimal to no presence of ketones. HHS is often triggered by an underlying illness-most commonly infection but may also be triggered by stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and other acute illnesses. Treatment guidelines recommend aggressive volume-repletion of osmotic losses in addition to insulin therapy, plus treatment of the underlying cause.

Keywords: Altered mental status; Diabetic emergency; Endocrine emergency; Hyperglycemia; Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state; Hyperosmolar nonketotic state.

Publication types

Review