Effects of Drug Use on the Development of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a condition in which the body must use adipose and protein deposits as intracellular energy sources due to a lack of insulin. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of drug use on the development of DKA and on clinical parameters in patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with the diagnosis of DKA.

Materials and methods: This study was retrospectively conducted in Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital between October 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013. The following parameters were recorder for each patient: age, gender, complaints, history of drug use, cause of DKA, pH, HCO3 levels, time spent in the ED, treatment outcomes and hospitalization durations.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 42.61 +/- 8.6 years, and 58% (n=43) of them were female. 20.3% (n=15) of the patients were drug free. 63.5% (n=47) of the patients were followed up with in the ward, 12 (16.5%) were followed up with in the ED and 20% (n=15) were followed up with in the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean duration of stay in the ED was 15 hours, and the mean hospitalization time was 10 days. The mortality rate was 2.7%(n=2). When the effects of the drug use on DKA were examined, there were no statistically significant differences between the patients in terms of acidosis condition, mortality, clinic of hospitalization and durations of follow-up and treatment (p>0.05). The most important factor causing ketoacidosis was the presence of infection (40.5%, n=30), while the most common symptom was nausea/vomiting (51.4%, n=38).

Conclusion: We observed that in patients with DKA, drug use does not affect mortality and morbidity.