Factors Precipitating Initial Admission and Readmission Among Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Makkah, Saudi Arabia 2021

Abstract

Background Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. DKA is a metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, high-anion gap metabolic acidosis and ketonemia. DKA is sometimes the first sign of type 1 diabetes in people who have not yet been diagnosed. DKA is known to be a preventable acute complication of diabetes mellitus specifically through patient education. DKA is the most common hyperglycemic emergency and causes the greatest risk for death in patients with diabetes mellitus, almost a third of the cases occur among those with type 2 diabetes. Although mortality rates from DKA have declined to low levels in general, it continues to be high in many developing countries. DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis and ketosis. Proper management of DKA requires hospitalization for aggressive intravenous fluids, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement as well as identification and treatment of the underlying precipitating event along with frequent monitoring of patient’s clinical and laboratory states. Aim of the study: To identify factors precipitating initial admission and readmission among patients with Diabetic ketoacidosis in Makkah, Saudi Arabia 2021.

Method: Retrospective by medical record review, at Diabetic center in Makkah.

Result & conclusion: none adherence to medication is the most common cause of admission and readmission (55.0% and 43.4 %) respectively. More than half (55.5%) were had abdominal pain and more than three fifths (62.8%) had pH more than 7 on admission. There was no statistical association between sociodemographic characteristics and readmission of DKA patients.