Efficacy of dexamethasone on diabetic ketoacidosis complicated with acute pancreatitis

According to a recent study, dexamethasone has a good clinical effect on patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) complicated by acute pancreatitis (AP). The findings of this study were published in the journal, Medicine.

A randomized controlled trial included 106 DKA patients complicated with AP. Patients were randomized according to the random number table method to either a study group (n = 53) who were given dexamethasone and a placebo group (n = 53). The comparison between the two groups was based on changes in laboratory indexes and clinical symptoms prior to and as well as post-treatment adverse events.

Patients in the study group after treatment showed lower levels of random venous blood glucose, serum chlorine, serum sodium, urine glucose, urea nitrogen, urine ketone, serum amylase, and triglyceride, as well as higher levels of serum potassium and pH value compared to the placebo group. Study group patients demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, polydipsia, polyuria, disorders of consciousness, and hypotension or shock. Additionally, the proportion of patients who experienced adverse reactions after treatment in the study group was significantly lower (17.0%) than in the control group (58.5%).

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that dexamethasone has a good clinical effect on patients with DKA complicated with AP.