Introduction
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders mainly characterized by hyperglycemia, polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both [1]. Pancreatogenic Diabetes is classified as a form of secondary diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and refers to diabetes secondary to an existing disease or condition of the exocrine pancreas [2, 3]. This patient was diagnosed with pancreatic secondary diabetes with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Case report
A 36-year-old male patient with worsening glycemic control and with complaints of polyuria, polydipsia along with progressive and gradual abdominal pain was presented to the male medicine ward in November 2022. Patient’s HbA1c value at the time of admission was 13.7% (normal: less than 5.7%, for prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%, and for diabetes: more than 6.5%) and random plasma glucose was found to be 405 mg/dL. Other laboratory investigations showed normal hemoglobin levels but slightly decreased total leukocyte count along with sodium and mild elevation in globulin was observed. A computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed chronic calcific pancreatitis with intraductal calculi and dilated pancreatic duct (Fig. 1A). Atrophic pancreas was seen which showed diffuse parenchymal calcification (Fig. 1B) and calculus of size 8 mm was seen in duct region of body of the pancreas and another calculus of 11 mm was seen in the duct region of head of the pancreas (Fig. 1C).
Patient was given intravenous fluid, normal saline 1000 mL in 2 hours followed by 120 mL per hour and insulin 12 unit initially followed by 15 unit and 20 unit before breakfast and 14, 20, 24 units before lunch and 12, 20 and 24 units before dinner and insulin glargine10 unit was started initially followed by 20 units. Also metformin 500 mg tablet twice daily was given after meal. Patient was discharged with insulin regu- lar 20 units before breakfast, 24 units before lunch and 24 units before dinner and 30 minutes before meal and insulin glargine was given 20 units subcutaneously at night. Patient was placed on certain diet and diabetes related teaching was provided to the patient during the hospital admission. Patient was told to follow up with the primary care physician. The patient was further advised for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
Discussion
Around 10% of the total individuals suffering from diabetes have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Development of diabetes in CP occurs mainly due to destruction of the islet cells by pancreatic inflammation. Nutrient maldigestion also leads to impaired incretin secretion resulting in reduced insulin release from the remaining β-cells [4]. Chronic calcific pancreatitis is one of the most common causes of secondary diabetes which is commonly underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed [5].
Conclusions
Secondary diabetes is a rare condition, often overlooked, underdiagnosed, or mistaken for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. So, in patients suffering from CP presenting with DKA it is important to consider about secondary diabetes for planning effective long-term management. CT scan and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis of the small subset of the population affected with secondary diabetes which should be considered. The limitations of the study is lack of islet antibodies or c-peptide measurements.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report including the clinical information and accompanying images.
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The patient was assured that their name and initials will not be published.
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Funding
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Acknowledgements
I take this opportunity to thank my parents and all the faculty members for their continuous support and guidance to publish this case report.
Conflict of interest
None declared.