Hipertrigliceridemia grave na cetoacidose diabética: relato de caso Severe hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic ketoacidosis: case report

Objectives: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a recurrent problem in the emergency room that requires prompt and effective treatment. Usually, it may be associated with an increase in triglyceride levels, exposing the patient to the risk of pancreatitis. Methods: We report the case of a 38-year- old female patient with diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides: 11.758 mg/dL). Results: The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Hydration and intravenous insulin were performed with success. During hospitalization, the levels of triglyce- rides decreased significantly and the levels of amylase and lipase remained at normal ranges, not suggesting pancreatitis. No other Brazilian cases with these levels of triglycerides were found. Conclusion: We conclude that, in diabetic ketoacidosis, lipid profile, including triglyceri- des, should be requested, due to a not negligible prevalence of complications such as hypertri- glycerides and pancreatitis. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2009;53(7):880-3.