Admission Pattern of Diabetic ketoacidosis at the National Diabetes Hospital in Tripoli-Libya- 2015

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in type-1 DM; however, occasionally it
may occurs in type-2 DM during severe stress
The aim of this study is to review the profile of admitted patients (non-pregnant adult and adolescents) at the national
diabetes hospital presented with DKA in 2015.
A descriptive case series study for 200 in- patient with DKA admitted to Tripoli diabetes hospital, which is a teaching
hospital located in Tripoli- Libya providing a tertiary level medical care, the enrolled patients admitted in a period of
9 months from August 2014 to April 2015.
Demographic data was extracted from the medical records including age, gender, duration of DM, type of DM,
precipitating factors, clinical characters, laboratory results at presentation including; initial blood sugar, ketone
bodies, pH, HCO3
, and admission to the word or medical intensive care unit (MICU), and the outcome of the patient.
The collected data analyzed by using SPSS software.
During the study period, 200 DKA patients were admitted to the MICU 186(93%) at the national diabetes hospital in
Tripoli. The mean age of all patients was 33.6±14 years, about 45% were below 30 years and 55% were females, with
duration of DM less than 5 years in 34% of all patients, 82% of DKA patients under this study were with Type 1, the
most frequent precipitating factor was insulin omission in patient with known DM (74%), about 14% were new cases,
only one case recorded as exercise induced DKA, and 193(96.5%) were discharge in good condition.
Within the boundaries of this study, we can conclude that DKA affected mainly patients below 30 years with no sex
difference, and less than 5 years duration of type 1 DM. Omission of insulin dose in known diabetic and infection
are the commonest precipitating factors. Good education and awareness of sick day management are recommended.