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. 2021 Aug 1;7(1):13.
doi: 10.1186/s40842-021-00127-6.

Recurrent DKA results in high societal costs - a retrospective study identifying social predictors of recurrence for potential future intervention

Ryan Lyerla  1 , Brianna Johnson-Rabbett  2 , Almoutaz Shakally  3 , Rekha Magar  4 , Hind Alameddine  5 , Lisa Fish  6
Affiliations

Recurrent DKA results in high societal costs - a retrospective study identifying social predictors of recurrence for potential future intervention

Ryan Lyerla et al. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Aims: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an emergency with high morbidity and mortality. This study examined patient factors associated with hospitalization for recurrent DKA.

Methods: Characteristics of 265 subjects admitted for DKA at Hennepin County Medical Center between January 2017 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Differences between subjects with a single admission versus multiple were reviewed.

Results: Forty-eight out of 265 patients had recurrent DKA. Risk factors included African American race (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) versus white non-Hispanic = 4.6, 95% CI 1.8-13, p = 0.001) or other race/ethnicity (aOR = 8.6, 2.9-28, p < 0.0001), younger age (aOR 37-52y versus 18-36y = 0.48, 0.19-1.16, p = 0.10; aOR 53-99y versus 18-36y = 0.37, 0.12-0.99, p = 0.05), type 1 diabetes mellitus (aOR = 2.4, 1.1-5.5, p = 0.04), ever homeless (aOR = 2.5, 1.1-5.4, p = 0.03), and drug abuse (aOR = 3.2, 1.3-7.8, p = 0.009). DKA cost a median of $29,981 per admission.

Conclusions: Recurrent DKA is costly, and social determinants are strong predictors of recurrence. This study highlights the need for targeted preventative care programs.

Keywords: Barriers to care; Insulin cost; Recurrent DKA.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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