Clinical Profile of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis, a well-known and major acute metabolic complication classically occurs in young patients with type 1 diabetes. However, it may occur in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus too. Objective: Aim of this study was to look into the clinical profile, precipitating factors and clinical outcome in the patients presenting with Diabetic ketoacidosis in the Emergency of a Tertiary care hospital. Design: The study was a prospective study conducted over a period of two years in Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: Clinical profile of 60 diabetic patients admitted in the Emergency with the diagnosis of Diabetic ketoacidosis were analysed. Results: Out of 60 patients, 12 were of Type 1 and 48 were Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Mean duration of diabetes was 8.65 years. Only 14 (23.3%) patients were taking regular treatment for Diabetes Mellitus whereas 32 (53.33%) patients were on irregular treatment and eight (13.33%) were not on any treatment at all. Among 12 Type 1 Diabetic patients, six patients were freshly diagnosed to be diabetic when they presented with Diabetic ketoacidosis complication. Nausea and vomiting (63.33%) were the most common symptoms of these patients. Infections (73.33%) were the most common precipitating factor for Diabetic ketoacidosis. Mean fluid requirement on first day of therapy was 3.51 liters. Mortality of 10% was seen. Conclusion: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a fatal acute metabolic complication of Diabetes Mellitus with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid morbidity & mortality.