Clinical characteristics and outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis in Pakistani adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Pakistani adult population with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of all adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of DKA and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and followed their clinical course and outcome. Follow-up data were obtained by chart review or telephone contact where necessary.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven patients fulfilled criteria for inclusion in the study. Their mean age was 48 +/- 7 years. The mean body mass index was 25.5 +/- 6.2 kg/m2. Forty-nine had a prior history of Type 2 DM but DKA was the initial presentation in 14%. Nine were on no treatment, 40 were using oral hypoglycaemic agents and eight were on insulin. A history of prior DKA was noted in eight patients. Infections were the most common precipitating factor (63%). There were 12 deaths. Follow-up after a period ranging between 12 and 43 months revealed that 30/45 patients remained on OHA without recurrence of DKA.


CONCLUSIONS
This report highlights the need for the growing recognition of DKA occurring in adults with Type 2 DM in the South Asian population. Mortality rates are unacceptably high but the majority of survivors remain insulin independent.
Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. abdul.jabbar@akunet.org
A
A
Jabbar
K
K
Farooqui
A
A
Habib
N
N
Islam
N
N
Haque
J
J
Akhter
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents