Diabetes research and clinical practice
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Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. · Sep 1996
Acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.
We undertook the present study to examine the acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in relation to hydration status in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A total of 40 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients (22 male, 18 female), aged 18-61 years with DKA admitted to our hospital during the last 2 years, were studied. The duration of diabetes averaged 9 +/- 2 years. ⋯ However, contradictorily, the severely dehydrated patients who experienced recurrent episodes of vomiting developed DKA with a concurrent metabolic alkalosis. Finally, patients with pneumonia or gram-negative septicemia exhibited DKA combined with a primary respiratory alkalosis. We conclude that patients with DKA commonly develop mixed acid-base disorders, which are partly dependent on patients' hydration status.