STUDY TO KNOW THE VARIOUS PRECIPITATING FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

Objective: To determine the different precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis. Study Design: An observational study. Place and Duration: In the Medicine Unit II of Services Hospital Lahore for Six months duration from March 2018 to August 2018. Methods: According to appropriate sampling, patients and their families were selected for the interview. The data were collected in a specially designed format. Fifty patients were included in the study and proforma was completed from each patient. All patients were evaluated with various blood tests, urinalysis, ECG and chest radiographs. Data analysis was computer based done on SPSS 17. Results: The mean age was 31.3 years. 60% of the patients were male. Diabetes mellitus was recently diagnosed in 22% of patients. Vomiting was present in 44% of patients and conscious awareness was observed in 42% of patients. The mean blood glucose level was 509 mg / dl (380-698 mg / dl). The mean value of the arterial pH was 7.05 (6.9-7.2). Infection (56%) and incompatibility with insulin (38%) were the most frequent triggers. There was also weak information about the disease, treatment and follow-up. Conclusion: Although the non-compliance with infection and anti-diabetic therapy are the main factors of DK, information about the education of the disease and early detection of complications should be given. Key words: Diabetic ketoacidosis, precipitating factors