Balanced Multi-Electrolyte Solution Versus Saline Trial for Diabetic KetoAcidosis (BEST-DKA)

September 30, 2026 updated by: The George Institute

Balanced Multi-electrolyte Solution Versus 0.9% Sodium Chloride as Fluid Therapy for Patients Presenting With Moderate to Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis

The goal of this blinded, cluster cross-over, randomised controlled trial is to determine whether fluid therapy with Plasma-Lyte® 148 increases the number of days alive and days out of hospital to day-28 compared to 0.9% sodium chloride ('0.9% saline') in critically ill patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) and deemed to require admission to a critical care area (ICU, HDU) with moderate to severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

DKA is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, described in patients with both type-1 diabetes, and type-2 diabetes(1). Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggest that between 2009-10 to 2014-15, there has been a 21% increase in the hospitalisation amongst young people with DKA(2). An interrogation of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Centre for Outcomes Research (CORE) database revealed that the incidence of ICU admission of patients with DKA in Australia and New Zealand increased 5-fold between 2000 and 2013 (0.97/100000, 95%CI 0.84 to1.10) in 2000 to (5.3/100000, 95%CI 4.98to 5.53, (P<0.0001)(3).

Increasing incidences were observed predominantly in rural and metropolitan hospitals (Figure 1), about 88% of the admissions to the ICU were from the ED. The median (IQR) ICU and hospital length of stay were 1.8 (1-2.8) and 4 (2.6-7.4) days respectively. Recent data from the ANZICS-CORE database confirmed the persistent high admission rate of severe DKA to Australian ICUs - 2849 and 2862 admissions in 2019 and 2020.

A major review of DKA management protocols in 2017 concluded that there are major deficiencies in evidence for optimal management of DKA(33). Current practice is guided by weak evidence and consensus opinion.

Studies comparing Plasma-Lyte® 148 vs. 0.9% saline in DKA demonstrate a trend towards a more rapid resolution of acidosis, equivalent glucose control and stable ketones with Plasma-Lyte® 148. In addition, there are trends towards reduced length of ICU and hospital stay with the use of Plasma-Lyte® 148.

Given the clinical uncertainty and substantial variability in practice. there is a scientific, clinical and health economic imperative to conduct a high-fidelity study to provide definitive evidence to inform clinicians regarding the choice of resuscitation fluids for patients with DKA. BEST-DKA will address this critical knowledge gap.

BEST-DKA is a multi-centre, blinded, cluster-crossover trial conducted in 20 Australian hospitals, consisting of two 12-month intervention periods with a one-month inter-period gap.

Each hospital is a single cluster, with all patients admitted with DKA to that hospital's ED during the intervention periods will potentially be eligible for inclusion in the trial. After the first 12-month intervention period during which recruited patients will receive either Plasma-Lyte® 148 or 0.9% saline, there will be a one-month inter-period gap during which patients will not be recruited into the trial. Following this each critical care area will change to using the fluid to which they were not assigned for the first period (Figure 4). All included patients will receive blinded fluids (Plasma-Lyte® 148 or 0.9% saline) as part of their DKA therapy depending on the fluid assigned to the site for the relevant intervention period.

Both study fluids are manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd (Old Toongabbie, NSW) and will be labelled, packed and distributed by the company directly to the study sites in periodic shipments. Study fluid will be coded and labelled in compliance with applicable regulations, and in a manner that protects the blinding.

All clinicians involved in the prescription of blinded study treatment must read Product Information for both Plasma-Lyte® 148 and 0.9% saline which provide detailed information about the composition, indications, side effects, suggested dosage and contraindications of the study treatments.

The volume and rate of blinded study fluid administered will be guided by the standard clinical endpoints determined by the treating clinician. Study treatments will be started following study enrolment and continue until discharge from a critical care area or for a maximum of 72 hrs, whichever is earlier. If patients are re-admitted to the critical care area within 72 hours with a relapse of ketoacidosis, the clinician may use open label fluids for the managements of ketoacidosis. within 72 hours they will continue to receive blinded treatment fluid. Glucose containing solutions can be added in as required for blood glucose or ketosis management. The use of bicarbonate therapy and the need for potassium, phosphate and magnesium supplementation will be at the discretion of the treating clinician and data on its use will be collected.

The primary outcome will be evaluated at day-28 and patients contacted via telephone.

End-user/consumer representatives have been involved in all components of the research program including protocol development, choice of primary outcome, funding applications, and membership of the management committee. End-user/consumer representatives will continue to be involved in the conduct of the study and play a key role in the dissemination of results. Currently, membership of the study management committee includes the President of the advocacy group, Diabetes Australia; Director of Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI); and a consumer who lives with diabetes.

This study aligns with the Medical Research Future Fund (Australia Government grant) funded ACADI objective to address the acute complications of diabetes including management of DKA.

The study has been endorsed by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and a letter of support from for the study from Diabetes Australia.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
547

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Australia
    • New South Wales
      • Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia, 2148
        • Blacktown Hospital
      • Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia, 2560
        • Campbelltown Hospital
      • Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia, 2830
        • Dubbo Base Hospital
      • Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, 2217
        • St George Hospital
      • Metford, New South Wales, Australia, 2323
        • Maitland Hospital
      • Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2800
        • Orange Hospital
      • St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia, 2065
        • Royal North Shore Hospital
      • Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145
        • Westmead Hospital
    • Queensland
      • Birtinya, Queensland, Australia, 4575
        • Sunshine Coast University Hospital
      • Caboolture, Queensland, Australia
        • Caboolture Hospital
      • Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia, 4108
        • Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital
      • Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia, 4020
        • Redcliffe Hospital
      • Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 4700
        • Rockhampton Hospital
      • Southport, Queensland, Australia, 4215
        • Gold Coast University Hospital
    • South Australia
      • Elizabeth Vale, South Australia, Australia, 5112
        • Lyell McEwin Hospital
      • Woodville South, South Australia, Australia, 5011
        • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    • Victoria
      • Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 3350
        • Ballarat Base Hospital
      • Berwick, Victoria, Australia, 3806
        • Monash Health-Casey Hospital
      • Dandenong, Victoria, Australia, 3175
        • Dandenong Hospital
      • Frankston, Victoria, Australia, 3199
        • Frankston Hospital - Peninsula Health
      • Traralgon, Victoria, Australia, 3844
        • Latrobe Regional Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients in the ED with a primary diagnosis of moderate to severe DKA for whom both saline and Plasma-Lyte® 148 are considered appropriate fluids
  • Blood glucose level > 14mmol/L
  • pH < 7.25
  • Serum bicarbonate <15 mmol/L
  • Elevated anion gap > 12mEq/L
  • Ketones positive on finger prick measurements
  • In the judgement of the treating clinician critical care area admission is required

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age less than 18 years
  • Patients who have received more than 2000ml of non study fluid prior to study enrolment
  • Serum Na > 155 or <120 mmol/L
  • Contraindication to either study fluid e.g. previous allergic reaction to Plasma-Lyte® 148
  • Patients with hyperosmotic hyperglycaemic non-ketotic syndrome
  • Other clinical conditions that preclude large volumes of fluid resuscitation
  • Previous inclusion in BEST-DKA trial

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Plasma-Lyte® 148

Plasma-Lyte® 148 fluid 1L given intravenously for fluid replacement
Drug: Plasma-Lyte 148

Plasma-Lyte® 148 intravenous fluid for resuscitation in patients with keto-acidosis

Other Names:
  • Balanced multi-electrolyte solution
Active Comparator: 0.9% sodium chloride

Normal saline fluid 1L given intravenously for fluid replacement
Drug: 0.9% sodium chloride

0.9% sodium chloride intravenous fluid for resuscitation in patients with keto-acidosis

Other Names:
  • normal saline

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hospital free days (HFD) up to day-28 after study enrolment
Time Frame: from time of enrolment to 28 days

Number of hospital free days from time of hospital discharge
from time of enrolment to 28 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ICU free days up to 28 days after study enrolment
Time Frame: 28 days after enrolment

Number of ICU free days from time of ICU discharge
28 days after enrolment
ICU and hospital readmissions up to 28 days after study enrolment
Time Frame: 28 days after enrolment

Number of days free from ICU and hospital from time of hospital discharge
28 days after enrolment
Acute kidney injury assessed by comparing serum creatinine using Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria
Time Frame: 28 days after enrolment

injury assessed by comparing change in serum creatinine using Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria
28 days after enrolment
Episodes of post-study enrolment decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) by more than 2 in the first 24 hours
Time Frame: first 24 hours from enrolment

decrease in Glasgow Coma Score by more than 2 points
first 24 hours from enrolment
Time to resolution of ketosis
Time Frame: from time of enrolment to day 28

resolution of acidosis
from time of enrolment to day 28
Cumulative insulin dosage in the first 48 hours
Time Frame: first 48 hours from time of enrolment

Total amount of insulin given to the patient from enrolment to 48 hours
first 48 hours from time of enrolment
Duration of IV insulin infusion
Time Frame: from time of enrolment to day 28

Total amount of IV insulin given to the patient from time of enrolment to day 28
from time of enrolment to day 28
Cumulative potassium replacement
Time Frame: from time of enrolment to day 28

Total amount of potassium given to the patient from time of enrolment to day 28
from time of enrolment to day 28

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cost-effectiveness
Time Frame: from time of enrolment to day 28

Calculation of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios
from time of enrolment to day 28

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The George Institute

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 14, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 1, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 7, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 28, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 2, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 30, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • TGI CCP-2378-352

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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