Endocrine Abstracts

Background and objectives: Hyperglycaemic emergencies (HE) are the most common acute complication of diabetes and are associated with relative or absolute insulin deficiency, volume depletion, impaired mental status and metabolic derangements. Hyperglycaemic emergencies are associated with high morbidity and mortality if not properly managed. We investigated the pattern of hyperglycaemic emergencies at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, South-western Nigeria.

Subjects, materials and method: The study population were adult patients who presented to the accident and emergency unit of the hospital with features of hyperglycaemic emergency. The participants were selected using non-probability sampling technique. The information obtained included socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0

Result: A total of 67 patients who fulfilled the criteria for hyperglycaemic emergency participated in the study. Their mean age was 53.6 (12.6) years. About 60% of the patients were 50 years and above. Female constituted 53.7% of the study population. About 38.8% were newly diagnosed diabetics. Precipitating factors were identified in 80.6% of the subjects and the commonest precipitating factor was infection. Majority of the study population (49.3%) presented with features of hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), 28.4% had normo-osmolar non-ketotic hyperglycaemic state (NNHS), 16.4% had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and 6% had Mixed HHS-DKA.

Conclusion: Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state was the most common form of hyperglycaemic emergency seen in this study. HE occurred commonly among previously and newly diagnosed diabetics. A holistic approach is recommended to prevent HE in our practice environment.

Keywords: Hyperglycaemic emergency, Diabetes mellitus, Presentation.