Clinical, psychological and demographic factors in a contemporary adult cohort with diabetic ketoacidosis and type 1 diabetes

Social and Metabolic Characteristics Associated With Multiple DKA Admissions at a Large County Hospital

Context

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a preventable, deadly, and costly complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Some individuals with T1DM have recurrent DKA admissions.

Objective

We sought to characterize social factors that differ between patients with single vs multiple DKA admissions at an urban, safety-net hospital.

Methods

We queried the electronic health records for T1DM patients admitted for DKA from 2019 to 2021. Admission laboratory values, demographic information, and detailed social histories were collected and analyzed statistically, including logistical regression.

Results

A total of 243 patients were admitted for DKA, 64 of whom had multiple DKA admissions. There was no significant difference between the groups in their admission laboratory values, hospital length of stay, health-care payer status, history of homelessness, current employment, living alone, independence of activities of daily living, and barriers to discharge. T1DM patients with multiple DKA admissions had greater rates of substance use disorder (33.0% vs 60.9%; P < .001), especially with cannabis (6.7% vs 25.0%; P < .001), tobacco (26.3% vs 46.3%; P = .002), and psychoactive substance use (1.1% vs 6.3%; P = .043). Regression models of substance use showed increased risk with any substance use (odds ratio [CI] 3.17 [1.78-5.73]; P < .001) and cannabis (3.70 [1.55-8.83]; P = .003).

Conclusion

We identified substance use as a possible predictor of T1DM patients at risk for multiple DKA admissions. Our findings identify a group of T1DM patients for whom interventions may help to decrease recurrence of DKA episodes within similar community hospital populations.

Diabulimia: A Risky Trend Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Poor adherence leads to worse glycemic control and increased complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Diabulimia characterizes patients with T1DM who skip or use less insulin for weight loss purposes. The study objectives were to determine: (1) the prevalence of diabulimia among adult patients with T1DM, (2) compare patients with and without diabulimia, and (3) identify factors that may place individuals at higher risk of diabulimia.

METHODS

A 40-item, web-based survey was administered to 21 T1DM discussion boards, Listservs, and social media outlets. The survey assessed demographics, diabetes management, psychiatric diagnoses, and screened for diabulimia. Individuals who reported intentionally skipping or using less insulin than directed for the purpose of weight loss or to prevent weight gain in the past 12 months were classified as having diabulimia.

RESULTS

Of the 225 participants who completed the survey, 8.9% had diabulimia. Patients with diabulimia had elevated hemoglobin A1C (A1C) levels (8.4% vs 6.9%; P = .014), higher rates of a diabetes-related emergency department visits or hospitalization (30.0% vs 13.2%; P = .042), and higher rates of a major depressive disorder diagnosis (40.0% vs 11.5%; P < .001) than patients without diabulimia. Factors associated with diabulimia included high A1C levels (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI [1.08-1.91]; P = .014) and a major depressive disorder diagnosis (odds ratio, 4.87; 95% CI [1.31-18.22]; P = .018).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1 in 11 adult patients with T1DM screened positive for diabulimia. Higher A1C levels and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder were associated with diabulimia.

Hospital presentations with diabetic ketoacidosis: A retrospective review

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a significant source of preventable episodes of care and cost. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with DKA in an area of socio-economic deprivation in metropolitan Queensland, Australia, and to describe factors associated with hospital admission and re-presentation in this population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective descriptive analysis of routine healthcare record data for January 2015-December 2019. People with T1D were identified through hospital discharge codes.

RESULTS

More than half (n = 165) the estimated local T1D population (n = 317) experienced an index ED presentation for DKA; mean±SD age at ED presentation was 31.1 + /- 19.3 years, 126 (76.4%) were aged ≥ 16 years and 20 (12.1%) were newly diagnosed. Index DKA presentation was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.04) but no other demographic or geographic variables. More than half the presentations (n = 92, 55.8%) occurred outside regular business hours. Twenty-three representations occurred within 90 days, associated with older age (p = 0.045) and lower residential socio-economic score (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the frequent problem of DKA and the importance of socio-economic influences. This flags the need and opportunity to improve support to people with T1D to promote diabetes self-care.

The management of type 1 diabetes in adults. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) convened a writing group to develop a consensus statement on the management of type 1 diabetes in adults. The writing group has considered the rapid development of new treatments and technologies and addressed the following topics: diagnosis, aims of management, schedule of care, diabetes self-management education and support, glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, hypoglycaemia, behavioural considerations, psychosocial care, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreas and islet transplantation, adjunctive therapies, special populations, inpatient management and future perspectives. Although we discuss the schedule for follow-up examinations and testing, we have not included the evaluation and treatment of the chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes as these are well-reviewed and discussed elsewhere. The writing group was aware of both national and international guidance on type 1 diabetes and did not seek to replicate this but rather aimed to highlight the major areas that healthcare professionals should consider when managing adults with type 1 diabetes. Though evidence-based where possible, the recommendations in the report represent the consensus opinion of the authors. Graphical abstract.

The Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) convened a writing group to develop a consensus statement on the management of type 1 diabetes in adults. The writing group has considered the rapid development of new treatments and technologies and addressed the following topics: diagnosis, aims of management, schedule of care, diabetes self-management education and support, glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, hypoglycemia, behavioral considerations, psychosocial care, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreas and islet transplantation, adjunctive therapies, special populations, inpatient management, and future perspectives. Although we discuss the schedule for follow-up examinations and testing, we have not included the evaluation and treatment of the chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes as these are well-reviewed and discussed elsewhere. The writing group was aware of both national and international guidance on type 1 diabetes and did not seek to replicate this but rather aimed to highlight the major areas that health care professionals should consider when managing adults with type 1 diabetes. Though evidence-based where possible, the recommendations in the report represent the consensus opinion of the authors.

Diabetic ketoacidosis presentations in a low socio-economic area: are services suitable?

Background

Diabetic ketoacidosis causes a significant number of hospitalisations worldwide, with rates tending to increase with remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage. Our study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ perceptions of factors affecting presentation of people with type 1 diabetes in a low socioeconomic area of Queensland, Australia.

Methods

This was a qualitative study. Individual semi-structured face-to-face or telephone interviews were completed with patients with type 1 diabetes who had presented in diabetic ketoacidosis, and healthcare professionals who have experience in related care. Data were analysed using Gibbs’s framework of thematic analysis.

Results

Four patients with type 1 diabetes and 18 healthcare professionals were interviewed. Restricted access was identified as a factor contributing to diabetic ketoacidosis and delayed presentation, with ketone testing supplies, continuous glucose monitoring technology and transport considered barriers. Many of these factors were arguably preventable. Opportunities to improve the care available to patients with type 1 diabetes were detailed, with particularly strong support for dedicated out of hours telephone help lines for adults with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

Gaps in support for patient self-care to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis presentations and prevent late presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis revealed by this study require service reconfiguration to support care delivery. Until change is made, people with type 1 diabetes will continue to make both avoidable and delayed, acutely unwell, presentations to Emergency Departments.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06715-7.

Diabetic ketoacidosis: a canary in the mine for mental health disorders?

BACKGROUND

Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has been linked to mental health disorders, but less is known about single DKA episodes. Most studies are retrospective, lacking control groups.

AIMS

Prospectively examine psychosocial factors in patients presenting with recurrent or single episode DKA and compare to people who have not had DKA.

METHODS

Case-controlled study (consecutive adult DKA admissions April 2015 to December 2016) at Western Health, Melbourne. Data were prospectively collected regarding: diagnosed mental health disorders, likely depression (PHQ-9 questionnaire), diabetes distress (PAID questionnaire) and presence of adverse social factors. A control group without a history of DKA was also recruited.

RESULTS

Of 123 patients admitted with DKA (164 consecutive episodes), 70 consented to participate and 73 age matched type 1 diabetes controls were recruited. Eleven of 18 (61%) with recurrent DKA had a diagnosed mental health disorder, versus 8 of 42 (19%) in the single episode group (p=0.016). The prevalence of likely depression using PHQ-9 was: recurrent 50%, single 40% and controls 22% (recurrent vs controls, p=0.036, single vs controls, p=0.053). Severe diabetes distress (PAID) was present in 47% of recurrent and 34% of single episode DKA (p=0.387). As a group, DKA patients had significantly more unemployment, illicit drug use and tobacco smoking, a lower level of formal education and less regular medical contact compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health disorders and adverse socio-economic factors appear to be common in patients with DKA. The diagnosis of DKA presents an excellent opportunity to screen for depression and offer appropriate intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.