1.
Delayed referral is common even when new-onset diabetes is suspected in children. A Swedish prospective observational study of diabetic ketoacidosis at onset of Type 1 diabetes.
Wersäll, JH, Adolfsson, P, Forsander, G, Ricksten, SE, Hanas, R
Pediatric diabetes. 2021;(6):900-908
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Delayed treatment for new-onset diabetes Type 1 (T1D) can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with potentially devastating consequences. This prospective observational study aimed to characterize pediatric patients with DKA at hospital admission, regarding parental awareness of diabetes-related symptoms and delayed referrals from primary health care providers to pediatric emergency wards. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients 0-18 years admitted to hospital with new-onset T1D and DKA between 2015 and 2017 were invited to participate. Questionnaires were filled out separately by the caregivers and by the attending hospital staff. Data from the Swedish National Diabetes Registry (SWEDIABKIDS) were used for comparison. Delayed referral was defined as a primary healthcare contact due to diabetes-related symptoms 0-4 weeks before hospital admission without immediate referral, or registered elevated glucose levels at primary healthcare centers without immediate referral. RESULTS The study included 237 patients, among which parental suspicion of new-onset diabetes before healthcare contacts was reported in 39%. Parental suspicion of diabetes was associated with higher pH values at diagnosis. Patients in contact with primary health care providers before hospital admission had a delayed referral in 43% of the cases. Delayed referral was associated with lower pH values at hospital admission. Symptoms leading to primary healthcare contacts were similar regardless of whether delay occurred or not. CONCLUSIONS Parental suspicion of diabetes was associated with milder DKA at hospital admission. Delayed referral was seen in a considerable proportion of children with primary healthcare contacts for symptoms associated with diabetes. Increased awareness of diabetes symptoms is of paramount importance.
2.
Diabetic ketoacidosis admissions at Middlemore Hospital: observational study of cause and patient demographics.
Lee, JH, Orr-Walker, BJ
The New Zealand medical journal. 2020;(1525):34-40
Abstract
AIM: To analyse data on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) admissions to better understand characteristics of those presenting with DKA and identify high-risk groups. METHOD Study population consisted of people with type 1 diabetes discharged from Middlemore Hospital between 01 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 with the diagnosis of DKA. Basic demographic data and socioeconomic status as defined by 2013 New Zealand deprivation index quintiles were obtained, in addition to the cause of DKA. RESULTS There were 69 DKA admissions from 57 people; 35% were Pasifika and 23% Māori. Fifty-six percent were from quintile 5, the quintile with the lowest socioeconomic status. The most common cause of DKA was non-adherence to insulin (59%), followed by infection (16%) and new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (14%). There was greater proportion of Pasifika and Māori population in those with non-adherence as the cause. CONCLUSION Non-adherence is a major cause of DKA admissions at Middlemore Hospital. When compared to the regional census data, there is over-representation of Pasifika and Māori population and those of lower socioeconomic status in those admitted with DKA. Similar pattern was seen in those with non-adherence as the cause of DKA and those with recurrent DKAs.
3.
Incidence and associates of diabetic ketoacidosis in a community-based cohort: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.
Davis, TME, Davis, W
BMJ open diabetes research & care. 2020;(1)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence and associates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in a representative community-based cohort. METHODS All hospitalizations of 1724 participants in the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II for/with DKA (plasma glucose >13.8 mmol/L, urinary/serum ketones, serum bicarbonate <18 mmol/L and/or arterial/venous pH <7.30) were identified between study entry from 2008 to 2011 and end-2013. Details of each episode were categorized by chart review as confirmed/probable DKA, possible DKA or not DKA. Incidence rates by diabetes type were calculated. Cox proportional hazards modeling determined predictors of first episode, and negative binomial regression identified predictors of frequency. RESULTS There were 53 coded DKA episodes (41 first episodes, 12 recurrences), of which 19 (35.8%) were incorrectly coded, 9 (17.0%) had possible DKA and 25 (47.2%) had confirmed/probable DKA. Of this latter group, 44% had type 1 diabetes, 32% had type 2 diabetes, 12% had latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) and 12% had secondary diabetes. The overall incidence of confirmed/probable DKA (95% CI) was 35.6 (23.0 to 52.6)/10 000 person-years (178.6 (85.7 to 328.5)/10 000 person-years for type 1 diabetes, 13.3 (5.7 to 26.1)/10 000 person-years for type 2 diabetes, 121.5 (33.1 to 311.0)/10 000 person-years for LADA and 446.5 (92.1 to 1304.9)/10 000 person-years for secondary diabetes). Baseline ln(fasting serum C-peptide) (inversely), glycated hemoglobin and secondary diabetes predicted both incident first confirmed/probable DKA episode and the frequency of DKA (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS These data highlight the contribution of poor glycemic control and limited pancreatic beta cell function to incident DKA, and show that people with types of diabetes other than type 1, especially secondary diabetes, are at risk.
4.
Prevalence of ketosis, ketonuria, and ketoacidosis during liberal glycemic control in critically ill patients with diabetes: an observational study.
Luethi, N, Cioccari, L, Crisman, M, Bellomo, R, Eastwood, GM, Mårtensson, J
Critical care (London, England). 2016;:297
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is uncertain whether liberal glucose control in critically ill diabetic patients leads to increased ketone production and ketoacidosis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prevalence of ketosis, ketonuria and ketoacidosis in critically ill diabetic patients treated in accordance with a liberal glycemic control protocol. METHODS We performed a prospective observational cohort study of 60 critically ill diabetic patients with blood and/or urine ketone bodies tested in ICU. All patients were treated according to a liberal glucose protocol targeting a blood glucose level (BGL) between 10 and 14 mmol/l in a single tertiary intensive care unit in Australia. We measured quantitative bedside blood 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) and semi-quantitative urine ketones on ICU admission and daily during ICU stay, for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. RESULTS Median blood β-OHB level on admission was 0.3 (0.1, 0.8) mmol/l. Ketoacidosis was rare (3 %), but some level of ketosis (β-OHB ≥0.6 mmol/l) was found in 38 patients (63 %) early during their ICU stay. However, there was no significant difference in prevalence or severity of ketonemia and ketonuria among patients with BGL above (permissive hyperglycemia) or below 10 mmol/l. On multivariable linear regression analysis there was no association between blood ketone levels and BGL, HbA1c, lactate levels, hematocrit, catecholamine infusion or APACHE III score. In contrast, blood ketone levels tended to be higher after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Liberal glycemic control in critically ill diabetic patients does not appear to be associated with a high prevalence of ketoacidosis or ketonemia. Moreover, ketosis is typically present on admission and resolves rapidly. Finally, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery may be an important trigger of ketone body production. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12615000216516 ; trial registration date 5 March 2015).