title: Hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic coma as a cause of emergency hyperglycaemic admission to Baragwanath Hospital.
abstract: There were 136 emergency hyperglycaemic admissions to Baragwanath Hospital over a 6-month period during 1992-1993, representing 1.2% of the total number of medical admissions; 24 (18%) patients died. Diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) accounted for 88 (65%) admissions (mortality rate 9%) while 16 admissions (12%) were as a result of hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma (HNKC), defined as hyperglycaemia, dehydration and an altered level of consciousness with a plasma osmolality > or = 330 and an arterial pH > or = 7.30, with absent or minimal ketonuria. Of these 16 patients, 9 (56%) were known to have diabetes mellitus. Patients with HNKC were significantly older than those with DKA (P < 0.001) and other patients with nonketotic hyperglycaemia (P < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 44%; prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin appeared of benefit (P < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rolfe
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Ephraim
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Huddle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006944:Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014508:Urea; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium