Hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic coma as a cause of emergency hyperglycaemic admission to Baragwanath hospital

• Published in: South African medical journal Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 173 - 176
• Main Authors: ROLFE, M, EPHRAIM, G. G, LINCOLN, D. C, HUDDLE, K. R. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pinelands Medical Association of South Africa 01.03.1995
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; Diabetes Complications; Diabetic Ketoacidosis - blood; Diabetic Ketoacidosis - diagnosis; Diabetic Ketoacidosis - mortality; Emergencies; Emergency and intensive care: metabolism and nutrition disorders. Enteral and parenteral nutrition; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma - blood; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma - diagnosis; Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Coma - mortality; Intensive care medicine; Male; Medical sciences; Potassium - blood; Sodium - blood; Tropical medicine; Urea - blood; South Africa; Africa; Coma; Human; Hyperglycemia; Emergency; Etiology; Resuscitation

There were 136 emergency hyperglycaemic admissions to Baragwanath Hospital over a 6-month period during 1992-1993, representing 1.2% of the total number of medical admissions; 24 (18%) patients died. Diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) accounted for 88 (65%) admissions (mortality rate 9%) while 16 admissio...