Precipitating factors for diabetic ketoacidosis

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study is to evaluate different precipitating factors for diabetic ketoacidosis. All medical wards of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. This descriptive study was conducted on 50 patients. Patients and their relatives were selected for interview on the basis of convenient sampling. The data was collected on specially designed proforma. The proforma was filled for each patient. All patients were investigated with various blood tests, urine tests, ECG and chest X-rays. The data analysis was computer based. SPSS 10 was employed for this purpose. The mean age was 31.3 years. 60% of the patients were males. Diabetes mellitus was newly diagnosed at presentation in 22% patients. Vomiting was present in 44% patients. Mean blood sugar level was 509mg/dI [380-98mgIdl]. Mean arterial p1-I value was 7.05 [6.9-7.2]. Infection [56%] and non-insulin compliance [38%] were the most common precipitation factors. Poor knowledge about disease, treatment and follow up was also noted. Infection and poor medication compliance are major precipitating factors for diabetic ketoacidosis. Level of health education is very poor; so more emphasis should be given to the health education of the diabetics