Base excess measured at hospital admission is useful for predicting diabetic ketoacidosis severity and resolution time in adult patients

Background and aimsThis study aimed to identify the biochemical factors measured at hospital admission that could predict diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) resolution time in adult patients.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 79 patients >18 years of age. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine which variables might predict DKA resolution time. Biochemical parameters between the two DKA resolution time groups were compared.ResultsUsing multiple linear regression models, acidosis time was found to decrease by 29 h if the pH value increased by one unit, 0.64 h if the base excess (BE) value increased by 1 mmol, and 1.09 h if the bicarbonate (HCO3^?) value increased by 1 mmol. The biochemical parameters that differed between the two groups were pH, HCO3^?, and BE. Patients with delayed resolution of DKA had a blood pH of 7.1 (±0.18), HCO3^? of 5.1 mmol (2.9-11.6 mmol), and BE of -21.5 mmol (-28.2 to -14.4 mmol) at hospital admission.ConclusionsLower pH, HCO3^?, and BE values at hospital admission may predict longer DKA resolution times in adult patients. In addition, BE may predict DKA severity.