DIABETIC-KETOACIDOSIS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED POPULATION

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (2) , 83-88
Abstract
Cases (92) of diabetic ketoacidosis were identified in residents of Rochester, Minnesota, USA, over a 52-yr period; 42% occurred in patients with juvenile-onset diabetes. The most common cause of diabetic ketoacidosis was infection. In 23% of the patients, diabetic ketoacidosis was the initial manifestation of diabetes mellitus. The frequency of retinopathy, neuropathy and glomerulosclerosis was significantly increased in the surviving diabetic patients with ketoacidosis in comparison with diabetic patients matched for age and sex who did not experience ketoacidosis. Seven deaths occurred in the first 24 h of diagnosis of ketoacidosis, but only one could be attributed to ketoacidosis alone. An additional 6 patients died within 48 h of the recognition of ketoacidosis. The major cause of all deaths occurring within 48 h of hospitalization for ketoacidosis was myocardial infarction.