Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Diabetic ketoacidosis is acute complication of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia is one of the diagnostic features of diabetic ketoacidosis. Electrolyte disturbances are common as well. Aim of this study is to examine whether there is a difference in serum glucose, sodium and potassium concentrations with respect to age, gender and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Materials and Methods: Medical records from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019 were reviewed and patients with the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis were selected.

Results: The study included 52 patients. Most patients belonged to the younger age group (18-24 years, 37.3%), there were more women (54.9%) and moderate diabetic ketoacidosis dominated (66.7%). The average glucose concentration was 27.10 mmol/l (median). Glucose concentration was significantly higher in the age group of 25 to 44 years and > 65 years compared to the group of 18 to 24 years (P = 0.02). No difference in glucose concentration was found with respect to gender. The average sodium concentration was 130.00 mmol/l (median). Sodium concentration was significantly higher in the age group 18 to 24 years and > 65 years compared to groups 25 to 44 and 45 to 65 years (P = 0.002). The average potassium concentration was 4.80 mmol/l (median). Women had significantly higher sodium concentrations (P = 0,002). Potassium concentration was significantly higher in the age group 25 to 44 years compared to other groups (P = 0.01). Men had significantly higher potassium concentrations (P = 0.01). The mean pH concentration was 7.19 (median). There was no association of pH levels with regards to age and gender. No significant relationship was found between glucose, sodium and potassium concentrations with regard to severity of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Conclusion: Diabetic ketoacidosis was most common in the age group 18 to 24 years and in women and was most often of moderate severity. The highest average concentrations of glucose and sodium were found in those older than 65 years, whereas potassium was high in the group 25 to 44 years. Women had significantly higher sodium concentration, while men had significantly higher potassium concentration. The severity of diabetic ketoacidosis was not related to glucose, sodium and potassium concentration.Key words diabetic ketoacidosis, glucose, sodium, potassium, diabetes mellitus