Incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes children in western Saudi Arabia: 11-year experience

Risk factors, outcomes, and predictors of resolution of acute kidney injury in children with diabetic ketoacidosis

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (incidence 35-77%). AKI evolution during DKA treatment/recovery is poorly understood. Our aim was to assess children with DKA for prevalence, short-term kidney outcomes, severity, and predictors of AKI development and resolution.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included children aged 2-14 years admitted with DKA between January 2016 and May 2020 in a Saudi tertiary care hospital. We defined AKI as an increase in serum creatinine of > 1.5 times baseline or > 3 mg/dL (26 mmol/L) within 48 h.

RESULTS

Of 213 patients admitted with DKA, 172 (80.75%) developed AKI: stage 1 in 83 (38.96%), stage 2 in 86 (40.37%), and stage 3 in 3 (1.4%). No patient required dialysis. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of developing AKI with male gender (OR = 2.85) and lower serum bicarbonate (OR = 0.83) when adjusted for initial heart rate, hematocrit, new onset diabetes, and recurrent AKI. The mean time to AKI resolution was 13.21 ± 6.78 h. Factors leading to prolonged recovery from AKI in linear regression analysis were older age (B coefficient = 0.44, p = 0.01), recurrent DKA episodes (B coefficient = 3.70, p value 0.003), increased acidosis severity (B coefficient =  - 0.44, p = 0.04), increased time to anion gap normalization (B coefficient = 0.44, p = 0.019), and increased initial glucose (B coefficient = 0.01, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, AKI is a common, but mostly transient complication in children presenting with DKA, and its severity is associated with longer intensive care stays and time for acidosis resolution. AKI was associated with male gender, and lower serum bicarbonate. Proper consideration of such risk factors is needed for AKI assessment and management in future DKA clinical practice guidelines. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Factors Associated With Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Among Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains a risk. Following a 2011 systematic review, considerable additional articles have been published, and the review required updating.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate factors associated with DKA at the onset of T1D among pediatric patients.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

In this systematic review, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and article reference lists were searched using the population, intervention, comparison, outcome search strategy for primary research studies on DKA and T1D onset among individuals younger than 18 years that were published from January 2011 to November 2021. These studies were combined with a 2011 systematic review on the same topic. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

FINDINGS

A total of 2565 articles were identified; 149 were included, along with 46 from the previous review (total 195 articles). Thirty-eight factors were identified and examined for their association with DKA at T1D onset. Factors associated with increased risk of DKA were younger age at T1D onset (<2 years vs ≥2 years; odds ratio [OR], 3.51; 95% CI, 2.85-4.32; P < .001), belonging to an ethnic minority population (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.21-0.74; P = .004), and family history of T1D (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.37-0.57; P < .001), consistent with the 2011 systematic review. Some factors that were not associated with DKA in the 2011 systematic review were associated with DKA in the present review (eg, delayed diagnosis: OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.72-3.01; P < .001). Additional factors associated with risk of DKA among patients with new-onset T1D included participation in screening programs (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21-0.59; P < .001) and presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.76-3.06; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, age younger than 2 years at T1D onset, belonging to an ethnic minority population, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, and presenting during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with increased risk of DKA. Factors associated with decreased risk of DKA included greater knowledge of key signs or symptoms of DKA, such as a family history of T1D or participation in screening programs. Future work should focus on identifying and implementing strategies related to these factors to reduce risk of DKA among new patients with T1D.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis and its Severity Predictors in Type 1 Diabetic Children; A 10-year Experience of A Teaching Hospital in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the trend and precipitating factors of the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the population admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in a large teaching hospital in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, analytical study at King Fahad Hospital, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. We retrieved the complete medical records of 2234 children who were admitted to the PICU during the 10-year period of 2010 through 2019. The children included those with polydipsia, polyurea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss, as well as breathing disturbances due to acidosis and CNS issues such as lethargy or coma and elevated blood glucose level, > 200 mg/dL [> 11.1 mmol/L], venous pH 7.3, serum total CO2 15 mmol/L, and blood- hydroxybutyrate concentration 3 mmol/L or moderate or severe ketonuria. RESULTS: Out of 2234 PICU admissions, 211 (9.4%) were diagnosed with DKA. A persistent increase in the rate of DKA ended up at 14.1% in 2019 (p = .005). The incidence of DKA was 88/2234 (3.93%). The severity of DKA was as follows: 130 (61.6%) had severe and 81 (38.4%) had moderate DKA. Excessive sweet intake without adding insulin in 83 (39.3%) patients and unhealthy lifestyles (35.1%) were the best predictors of severe DKA (p = .001). CONCLUSION: Over a 10-year period, the DKA pattern was persistently rising and slightly falling, which ended up at the significantly highest rate of 14.1% in 2019. URTI, pneumonia, unhealthy lifestyle, and excess sweet intake were significant precipitating factors associated with severe DKA.

Estimated Cost-effectiveness of Subcutaneous Insulin Aspart in the Management of Mild Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among Children

IMPORTANCE

Intravenous (IV) insulin infusion is the standard of care for treating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) worldwide. Subcutaneous (SC) insulin aspart could decrease the use of health care resources.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost-effectiveness of mild uncomplicated DKA management with SC insulin aspart vs IV insulin infusion among pediatric patients from the perspective of a public health care payer using clinical data.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This economic evaluation included children aged 2 to 14 years presenting to the emergency department of a single academic medical center with mild DKA between January 1, 2015, and March 15, 2020. The medical records for DKA treatment course and its associated hospitalization costs were reviewed. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2015, to March 15, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Subcutaneous insulin aspart vs IV regular insulin infusion.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (US dollars per hour), duration of DKA treatment, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 129 children with mild DKA episodes (mean [SD] age, 9.9 [3.1] years; 72 girls [55.8%]) were enrolled in the study. Seventy children received SC insulin aspart and 59 received IV regular insulin. Overall, the length of hospital stay in the SC insulin group was reduced (mean, 16.9 [95% CI, -31.0 to -2.9] hours) compared with the IV insulin group (P = .005). The mean (SD) cost of hospitalization in the SC insulin group (US $1071.99 [US $523.89]) was less than that in the IV insulin group (US $1648.90 [US $788.03]; P = .001). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was -34.08 (95% CI, -25.97 to -129.82) USD/h. The use of SC insulin aspart was associated with a lower likelihood of prolonged hospital stay (β = -17.22 [95% CI, -32.41 to -2.04]; P = .03) than IV regular insulin when controlling for age and sex.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Findings of this economic evaluation suggest that SC insulin aspart is dominant vs IV regular insulin in the management of mild uncomplicated DKA in children.

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Children with Diabetic Ketoacidosis Treated in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a 10-Year-Period: Single Centre Experience in Croatia

Background and Objectives: The incidence of severe and moderate forms of DKA as the initial presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poses a higher risk of developing cerebral edema as a complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), as well as morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the trend and clinical features of children treated in the last 10 years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to the development of DKA. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in the PICU, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, in Croatia. All children diagnosed with DKA from 2011-2020 were included in this study. Data were received from hospital medical documentation and patient paper history. The number of new cases and severity of DKA were identified and classified using recent International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines. Results: In this investigation period, 194 children with newly diagnosed T1D were admitted to our hospital: 58 of them were treated in the PICU due to DKA; 48 had newly diagnosed T1D (48/58); and ten previously diagnosed T1D (10/58). DKA as the initial presentation of T1D was diagnosed in 24.7% (48/194). Moderate or severe dehydration was present in 76% of the children at hospital admission. Polyuria, polydipsia, and Kussmaul breathing were the most common signs. Three patients (5.2%) developed cerebral edema, of whom one died. Conclusions: During the investigation period a rising trend in T1D was noted, especially in 2020. About one quarter of children with T1D presented with DKA at initial diagnosis in western Croatia, most of them with a severe form. Good education of the general population, along with the patients and families of children with diabetes, is crucial to prevent the development of DKA and thus reduce severe complications.

Epidemiological trends in the presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from 2011 to 2017 in Kuwait

BACKGROUND

Monitoring the trends in the presentation of T1D over decades cannot be underestimated as it provides a rich source of information on diabetes-related complications like DKA. DKA represents a medical emergency, with potentially fatal outcome, and thus the prevention of DKA is a priority in diabetes care. The aim of this study is to report on trends in the presentation of DKA in children newly diagnosed with T1D in Kuwait.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study is based on a retrospective review of children newly diagnosed with T1D aged 14 years or less at three Governmental Hospitals representing three health sectors out of the total six health sectors in the country during the period 2011-2017.

RESULTS

A total of 799 children (376 males and 423 females) were newly diagnosed with T1D. 287 children presented with DKA (35.9%) with only 73 children (9.1%) classified as severe. During the years 2011 to 2017, we note that the percentage of children older than 6 years of age presenting with severe DKA has decreased significantly (p=0.022). Unfortunately, this has not been replicated in children younger than 6 years.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of continued monitoring of clinical characteristics of children at diagnosis of T1D specifically presenting with DKA to enable diabetes care professionals to appreciate the multifaceted aspects of T1D, in particular the importance of raising awareness of the early signs of the onset of T1D with special attention to DKA and its severe consequences.

Lifetime risk and health-care burden of diabetic ketoacidosis: A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to assess population-based rates, trends and outcomes of patients with DKA.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a nationwide cohort study using hospital discharge claims data from 2010 to 2018 in Switzerland. Incidence rates and in-hospital outcomes of DKA were analyzed throughout lifetime for children (0-9 years), adolescents (10-19 years), and adults (20-29, 30-59, and 60-90 years). Analyses were stratified for type of diabetes mellitus and sex.

RESULTS

In total, 5,544 hospitalizations with DKA were identified, of whom 3,847 were seen in patients with type 1 diabetes and 1,697 in type 2 diabetes. Incidence rates of DKA among patients with type 1 diabetes were highest during adolescence with 17.67 (girls) and 13.87 (boys) events per 100,000 person-years (incidence rate difference [IRD]: -3.80 [95% CI, -5.59 to -2.02]) and decreased with age in both sexes thereafter. Incidence rates of DKA in patients with type 2 diabetes were low up to an age of 40 years and rose to 5.26 (females) and 6.82 (males) per 100,000 person-years in adults aged 60-90 years. Diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with relevant health-care burden independent of age, sex, or type of diabetes. The population-based incidence rate of DKA increased over time from 7.22 per 100,000 person-years in 2010 to 9.49 per 100,000 person-years in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

In type 1 diabetes highest incidence rates of DKA hospitalizations were observed among adolescent females. In comparison, in patients with type 2 diabetes the risk for DKA steadily increased with age with higher rates in adult males. Over the 9 year study period, incidence rates of DKA were increasing irrespective of type of diabetes. DKA was associated with a high burden of disease reflected by high rates of intensive care unit admission, prolonged hospital stay and high mortality rates, especially in elderly.

Real-World Evidence of COVID-19 Patients' Data Quality in the Electronic Health Records

Despite the importance of electronic health records data, less attention has been given to data quality. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of COVID-19 patients' records and their readiness for secondary use. We conducted a retrospective chart review study of all COVID-19 inpatients in an academic healthcare hospital for the year 2020, which were identified using ICD-10 codes and case definition guidelines. COVID-19 signs and symptoms were higher in unstructured clinical notes than in structured coded data. COVID-19 cases were categorized as 218 (66.46%) "confirmed cases", 10 (3.05%) "probable cases", 9 (2.74%) "suspected cases", and 91 (27.74%) "no sufficient evidence". The identification of "probable cases" and "suspected cases" was more challenging than "confirmed cases" where laboratory confirmation was sufficient. The accuracy of the COVID-19 case identification was higher in laboratory tests than in ICD-10 codes. When validating using laboratory results, we found that ICD-10 codes were inaccurately assigned to 238 (72.56%) patients' records. "No sufficient evidence" records might indicate inaccurate and incomplete EHR data. Data quality evaluation should be incorporated to ensure patient safety and data readiness for secondary use research and predictive analytics. We encourage educational and training efforts to motivate healthcare providers regarding the importance of accurate documentation at the point-of-care.

Enteroviruses and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An Overlooked Relationship in Some Regions

Enteroviruses (EVs) infect millions of people annually. EV infections can be asymptomatic or symptomatic with conditions ranging from mild illnesses to serious diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy. A causal relationship between EV infections and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been heavily debated, with some studies suggesting that this relationship is not yet conclusive and requires additional evidence, whereas others strongly argue for this correlation. While this relationship is well investigated in some developed countries like the USA and Finland, it is understudied or neglected in other countries like Russia for many reasons such as the low incidence of T1DM. Although the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are highly affected by T1DM, the role of EVs in the disease in MENA has not been investigated extensively. Therefore, we aimed to address the relationship between T1DM and EVs in MENA and other regions globally.