Diabetes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Diabetes, including details on insulin, type i, type ii, diet, treatment, prevention.

Ethnicity and young age influence the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Rodacki M, Pereira JR, Nabuco de Oliveira AM, Barone B, Mac Dowell R, Perricelli P, Bravo MT, de Oliveira MM, Brum JD, Belem LC, de Ornellas PG, Berardo RS, Luescher J, Campos L, Vangelotti Ade M, Kupfer R, Zajdenverg L, Milech A, Paulo de Oliveira JE

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Adult Diabetes Section, Brazil. mrodacki@hucff.ufrj.br

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may be present at the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), increasing both its morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of this complication at the clinical presentation of T1D, as well as possible interfering factors in a multi-ethnic population from Brazil. We have reviewed the medical charts of 545 individuals with T1D diagnosed between 1968 and 2006 from two major local diabetes treatment centers. DKA occurred in 179 patients (32.8%) at the onset of T1D. The frequency of DKA was higher in non-white than white individuals (p<0.0001) and in the younger age groups (<or=5 y/o and 6-10 y/o; p=0.015). The prevalence of DKA at the onset of the disease did not change over the past four decades, except for a higher prevalence in patients diagnosed since 2000 when compared to those that had hyperglycemia detected in the 1990s (p=0.019). To conclude, a significant proportion of individuals present DKA at the onset of T1D in this population, especially very young children and non-white individuals. Unfortunately, the frequency of DKA has not progressively declined in the past decades. An improvement in the educational programs for detection of early signs and symptoms might help to change this scenario.

Published 1 October 2007 in Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 78(2): 259-62.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Diabetes Research Today. All Rights Reserved.