- Mortality Rates
- What is the mortality rate for diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Causes
- What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Risk Factors
- What are risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Diagnosis
- How is diabetic ketoacidosis diagnosed?
- Treatment
- How is diabetic ketoacidosis treated?
- Complications
- What are potential complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Comments
- **COMMENTSTAGLIST**
- More
- **OTHERTAGLIST**
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes. However, mortality rates are fairly low
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes that is most commonly seen among people with type I diabetes, although people with type II diabetes can also develop DKA.
With appropriate and timely treatment, the survival rate of DKA is quite high at over 95%. Survival rates are poorer in the elderly and those with known organ damage.
What is the mortality rate for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Mortality rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are as follows:
- Overall: 0.2%-2%
- Individuals under 40: 5%
- Elderly or those with serious illnesses: 20%
What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can develop when there is an imbalance in the body causing high blood sugar and low insulin levels that leads to an overload of ketones (a blood acid) due to the rapid breakdown of fats by the liver.
- DKA is a result of severely decreased insulin levels that do not allow blood sugar into the cells to be used up for energy.
- Normally, insulin plays a key role in helping sugar (a major energy source for the muscles and other tissues) enter the cells.
- Without enough insulin, fats are broken down rapidly in the liver, which produces ketones that make the blood acidic.
- When ketones accumulate in the blood, they can become toxic and lead to ketoacidosis.
Other causes of DKA include:
- Serious illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, or pancreatitis
- Infections
- Misses doses of insulin shots
- Physical injury or trauma
- Stress of surgery
- Alcohol or drug use
- Heat stroke
- Certain medications such as diuretics and corticosteroids
People with type II diabetes can also develop DKA, but it is less common and less severe.
What are risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis include:
- Type I diabetes (even if it is undiagnosed)
- Frequent missed insulin doses
- Not taking insulin as prescribed
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Infections
- Heart diseases or a heart attack
- Recent stroke
- Blood clots in the lungs
- Serious illness or any trauma
- Pregnancy
- Surgery
- Medicines such as steroids or antipsychotics
- Using illegal drugs such as cocaine
How is diabetic ketoacidosis diagnosed?
If diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is suspected, a physical examination and certain tests can help confirm a diagnosis. In some cases, additional tests may be needed to help determine the triggering factor of DKA:
- Blood tests to measure:
- Sugar levels
- Ketone levels
- Electrolytes
- Acidity
- Osmolality
- Arterial blood gas
- Urinalysis
- X-ray chest
- Electrocardiogram
A confirmed diagnosis of DKA is generally made if:
- Blood glucose level is higher than 250 mg/dL
- Blood pH is less than 7.3 (acidosis)
- There is presence of ketones in the urine and/or blood
- Serum bicarbonate level is lower than 18 mEq/L
How is diabetic ketoacidosis treated?
If a person is diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), emergency treatment is required and will likely include:
- Fluid replacement: Replacing fluids lost through frequent urination to help dilute excess sugar in the blood
- Electrolyte replacement: Replacing electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, which helps the nerves, muscles, heart, and brain function properly
- Insulin therapy: Reverses the triggers that cause DKA by impairing cell physiology
- Medicines for underlying conditions: May include antibiotics for an infection
What are potential complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Potential complications of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) include:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
- Hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels)
- Cerebral edema (swelling in the brain)
- Pulmonary edema (fluid inside of the lungs)
- Damage to the kidneys and other organs
If left untreated, DKA can lead to loss of consciousness and death.
Health News
- Most Americans Unsure How to Help Someone in Opioid Overdose
- Americans Are Moving Away From Polluted Areas -- If They Can Afford To
- Does Your Child Need Glasses? Look for These Signs
- Why 'Socializing' Your Young Child Is So Important
- Insurance Coverage Could Impact Survival of Patients After Spinal Cord Injury
- More Health News »
References
Image Source: iStock image
Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html
Diabetes & DKA (Ketoacidosis). American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/dka-ketoacidosis-ketones
Brunilda Nazario. Diabetic Ketoacidosis. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/ketoacidosis
Diabetes-Related Ketoacidosis (DKA). Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21945-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka
Top What Is the Survival Rate of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Related Articles
- Diabetes Tips: Managing and Living With DiabetesIf you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you need to approach life differently. Learn nutrition tips to control blood sugar, ways to manage your insulin, hyperglycemia triggers like stress, and what to do when traveling with diabetes. Discover the various symptoms of diabetes, how they put your body at risk, and steps you can take to live better with diabetes.
- Can You Survive Diabetic Ketoacidosis?Because it typically takes hours for DKA to become life-threatening, you can survive the condition by acting quickly and receiving timely medical treatment.
- Body Blood Sugar LevelsHigh blood sugar can be a sign of diabetes or prediabetes. The drugs that treat it sometimes cause low blood sugar too. WebMD helps guide you through the effects of both.
- Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 and Type 2)Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue.
- Diabetes QuizTake the Diabetes Quiz and learn the causes, signs, symptoms, and types of this growing epidemic. What does diabetes have to do with obesity and diet? Learn about life as a diabetic.
- 12 Ways Sugar Harms Your BodyThe bitter truth: How too much sugar can harm your physical and mental health.
- Diabetes Treatment: Medication, Diet, and InsulinThe major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is treated with:insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet.Type 2 diabetes is first treated with:weight reduction,a diabetic diet, and exercise.When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
- Diabetic KetoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication of type 1 diabetes that is life threatening. If a person thinks they may have diabetic ketoacidosis they should seek medical care immediately. Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when a person's insulin levels in the blood become dangerously low. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include dehydration, abdominal pain, confusion, and nausea and vomiting. Diabetic ketoacidosis needs medical treatment. It cannot be treated at home.
- Insulin for Diabetes Treatment (Types, Side Effects, and Preparations)There are a variety of types and preparations of insulin for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, diabetes during pregnancy, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. Human insulin preparations and regular insulin are made by recombinant DNA technology. Examples of preparations of insulin include rapid acting insulin (Apirda, Novolog, Humalog), short acting insulin (Novolin R, Humulin R), intermediate acting insulin (Humulin N, Novolin N, and long lasting insulin (Lantus, Levemir). Common side effects of insulin include hypoglycemia, headache, weight gain, rash, itching, flu-like symptoms, lipoatrophy, and reaction at the site of injection. Warnings, precautions, and drug interactions should be reviewed prior to taking insulin.
- Insulin Pump for DiabetesThe insulin pump is a device for continuous insulin delivery. An insulin pump is composed of a pump reservoir similar to that of an insulin cartridge, a battery-operated pump, and a computer chip that allows the user to control the exact amount of insulin being delivered.
- potassium bicarbonatePotassium bicarbonate is a medication used as supplemental potassium to treat and prevent low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). Common side effects of potassium bicarbonate include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas (flatulence), and hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2)SGLT2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitors is a class of drugs prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes in conjunction with diet and exercise. Review side effects, drug interactions, preparations, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information prior to taking any medication.
- sodium benzoate/sodium phenylacetateSodium benzoate/sodium phenylacetate is a medication used in the treatment of excessive ammonia levels in the blood (hyperammonemia) and associated brain damage (encephalopathy) in patients with urea cycle disorders. The combination medication reduces the ammonia levels in the blood and is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion as an adjunct treatment in addition to appropriate dietary and other supportive measures. Common side effects of sodium benzoate/sodium phenylacetate include high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), high ammonia levels in the blood (hyperammonemia), low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), low blood calcium (hypocalcemia), excessive acidity of body fluids (acidosis), metabolic acidosis, respiratory acidosis, convulsions, brain swelling (edema), coma, mental impairment, psychiatric disorders, agitation, injection site reactions, fever (pyrexia), and others.
- Type 1 DiabetesWhat is type 1 diabetes? There are new treatments for juvenile diabetes, and more people with diabetes can be treated than ever before. Learn the symptoms of T1D, the causes, and find ways to control your blood glucose levels naturally.
- Type 1 Diabetes QuizWhat are the causes of type 1 diabetes? Take this quiz and challenge your knowledge of causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for this common condition, formerly known as juvenile diabetes.
- Diabetes Urine TestsDiabetes urine tests can help with the early detection of diabetic kidney disease, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and ketones, which may lead to ketoacidosis.
- What Should I Do If I Have Ketones in My Urine?If your urine reports show moderate or high levels of ketones, consult your doctor right away.