PRECIPITATING FACTORS FOR DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective; To determine the frequency of various precipitating factors for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study based on purposive sampling method was conducted at Medical ward VI, Islamabad Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from 15th July 2005 to 14th January 2006. Forty Two patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus who at the time of admission had diabetic ketoacidosis were analyzed to sort out the precipitating factor by history, physical examination and investigations both laboratory and radiological. Results; Out of 42 patients 19 (45%) were male while 23 (55%) were female. 21(50%) had infection, 11(26.19 %) were non-compliant to the treatment, 09 (21.40%) had other co-morbidity (stroke, acute pancreatitis etc) as precipitating factor while one (2.3%) had his first presentation of diabetes mellitus as diabetic ketoacidosis. A mortality of 7.15% was recorded in the study. Conclusion: Infection, non-compliance to treatment and comorbid conditions are the major precipitating factors for diabetic ketoacidosis. Key Words. Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Diabetes Mellitus. Ketoacidosis, Precipitating Factors.