Last updated May 13, 2026
Key finding
A randomized trial in 80 adults with diabetic ketoacidosis found that early subcutaneous insulin degludec (0.3 units/kg within 3 hours) plus standard IV insulin infusion resolved DKA 3.25 hours faster than IV insulin alone, with no increase in hypoglycaemia or hypokalaemia.
This study tested whether giving a shot of long-acting insulin (degludec) early, along with the standard IV insulin drip, could help resolve diabetic ketoacidosis faster. In 80 adults, the combination resolved DKA about 3 hours sooner and led to better blood sugar levels 3 days later, without raising the risk of low blood sugar or low potassium.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
A randomized trial in 80 adults with diabetic ketoacidosis found that early subcutaneous insulin degludec (0.3 units/kg within 3 hours) plus standard IV insulin infusion resolved DKA 3.25 hours faster than IV insulin alone, with no increase in hypoglycaemia or hypokalaemia.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Thammakosol K, Jantarapootirat M, Traiwanatham S, Sriphrapradang C. Early insulin degludec with continuous intravenous insulin infusion in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis: A randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(12):7020-7029. doi:10.1111/dom.70101
↓ DKA resolution time reduced by 3.25 hours with early degludec (p=0.039)
↓ Capillary blood glucose at 72h lower by 26 mg/dL with degludec (p=0.012)
→ Hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia rates similar between groups (not significant)
Adults with diabetic ketoacidosis (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) in hospital settings. Results are most relevant to patients with classic DKA (plasma glucose ≥250 mg/dL) without euglycemic DKA, haemodynamic instability, or pregnancy.
The study was open-label, which could bias some decisions. The comparison used glargine U-100 in the control group after DKA resolution, which differs from degludec's pharmacokinetic profile. Euglycemic DKA patients were excluded. Ketone monitoring was not used for resolution assessment per 2009 ADA criteria.
Evidence Library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Insulin Therapies and HbA1c.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Insulin Therapies has been studied in relation to HbA1c, but the direction of effect is unclear.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | unknown | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Your data is always protected.
New studies added every day.
