Identifying cause of DKA is vital, researcher says

Detecting what triggers diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) will help to prevent the development of the potentially life-threatening complication, a researcher specialising in diabetes and endocrinology has revealed. 

Dr Punith Kempegowda, Assistant Professor in Endocrinology, Diabetes and General Medicine at the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, highlighted that the number of DKA cases could fall if healthcare professionals can identify and treat what is causing the development of the complication.

This comes after it was revealed that the rates of DKA deaths are significantly higher now compared to a decade ago.

Speaking at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUKPC) 2024, Dr Kempegowda said: “DKA is not an independent diagnosis, it’s caused by something else. If you do not pick it up, patients will keep on coming back.”

Data presented at DUKPC 2024 has shown that DKA causes 35,000 unplanned hospital admission every year in the UK, costing more than £100 million per year.

According to evidence presented by Dr Kempegowda, Digital Evaluation of Ketosis and Other Diabetes Emergencies (DEKODE) has reduced DKA duration and variation in patient care.

The session also revealed the ABCD and Sanofi are working together on a DKA collaborative project.

This will consist of improving adherence to the JBDS-IP guidelines to standardise DKA management processes. Sanofi will not provide input of the design or analysis, and they do not have access to raw data.