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. 2020 Oct 4;12(10):e10792.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.10792.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Clinical Characteristics and Precipitating Factors

Wajeeha Shahid  1 , Faria Khan  2 , Aamir Makda  1 , Vinesh Kumar  3 , Sidra Memon  1 , Amber Rizwan  4
Affiliations

Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Clinical Characteristics and Precipitating Factors

Wajeeha Shahid et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of hyperglycemia. Through this study we plan to study the clinical features of DKA and precipitating factors responsible for DKA in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Sukkur, Pakistan from August 2019 to February 2020. Symptoms and precipitating factors were noted in a self-structured questionnaire.

Results: Out of 71 patients, 19 (26.7%) patients had type 1 diabetes mellitus and 52 (73.3%) patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most common clinical symptom was nausea and vomiting (57.7%), followed by pain in abdomen (42.2%) and dehydration (42.2%). We found that the most common precipitating factors were infections (69.0%) and non-compliance to treatment (53.5%). Among various infections, people commonly presented with pneumonia (38.7%) and urinary tract infection (30.6%).

Conclusion: Diabetic ketoacidosis presents with vague symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pain in abdomen. Characteristic findings of DKA such as Kussmaul breathing was present in limited patients. Infections in diabetic patients should be carefully monitored as they are the most common precipitating factors for DKA.

Keywords: diabetic ketoacidosis (dka); pakistan.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetic Ketoacidosis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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