Risk Factors for Diabetic Ketoacidosis among Diabetic Patients.

Abstract: Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes, Assessment of risk factors play important roles in decreasing morbidity and mortality secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis. Aim: To assess risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis among diabetic patients at Sohag University Hospital. Research design: Case- control retrospective research design had been utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in Emergency Medical unit, Internal Medicine department, and Outpatient Clinics of diabetes at Sohag University Hospital. Sample: 160 adult diabetic patients enrolled in this study. Tool: Patient assessment sheet for diabetic ketoacidosis was utilized for data collections during the period from January 2019 and ended October 2020. Results: The finding shows that age (p-value <0.01) as non-modifiable risk factors, dehydration (p-value <0.01), infection (p-value <0.01) poor compliance with treatment (p-value <0.01) and acute pancreatitis (p-value <0.01) were modifiable risk factors. There was highly statistical significant (p-value <0.01) association between DKA and risk factors. Conclusions: This study found strong associations between DKA and risk factors such as age, infection, poor compliance with treatment, dehydration, acute pancreatitis, emotional stress, surgery, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Recommendations: Modifiable risk factors have a significant role in the development of Diabetic Ketoacidosis, so a complete multidisciplinary diabetes education should be accessible to control these factors.