Abstract
Aim of Study: To assess prevalence of ketoacidosis and to identify risk factors associated with it among patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 type-1 diabetics in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.
Results: Our study included 228 males (59.2%), 44.2% were diabetic for more than 5 years, 48.3% had positive family history of diabetes, while 70.9% reported past history of DKA. Last recorded HbA1c levels for 53.5% were >9%. The main predisposing factors for DKA were being first presentation (59%) or treatment discontinuation (53.1%). DKA occurred significantly more in patients with family history of diabetes (p<0.001), in patients with poor glycemic control (p<0.001), and in patients whose parents were less educated or unemployed. However, its occurrence did not differ significantly according to patients' age or their duration of disease.
Conclusion: Most T1DM patients experience DKA, mainly with their first presentation of disease or due to discontinuation of treatment. DKA tends to occur more frequently among patients with poor glycemic control, those with less educated or unemployed parents, and those with positive family history of diabetes.