Diabetic ketoacidosis in adults

What you should knowDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an extreme metabolic state caused by insulin deficiency. The breakdown of fatty acids (lipolysis) produces ketone bodies (ketogenesis), which are acidic. Acidosis occurs when ketone levels exceed the body’s buffering capacity (figure⇓).1 2Diabetic ketoacidosis may follow absolute insulin deficiency or relative insulin deficiency. Relative insulin deficiency may occur in the presence of increased levels of counter-regulatory hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines. Insulin deficiency results in lipolysis and ketogenesis. Ketone bodies are acidic and may initially be buffered, but when levels are high enough, will result in acidosisData from the UK National Diabetes audit shows a crude one year incidence of 3.6% among people with type 1 diabetes.3 In the UK nearly 4% of people with type 1 diabetes experience DKA …