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OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE DIABETIC KETOSIS
Author(s) -
HUDSON BRYAN,
BICK MARJORIE,
MARTIN F. I. R.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
australasian annals of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0571-9283
DOI - 10.1111/imj.1960.9.1.34
Subject(s) - ketosis , medicine , pediatrics , diabetes mellitus , intensive care medicine , endocrinology
Summary A series of 32 patients with severe diabetic ketosis treated by us during 1956–1957 has been compared with a similar group of 67 patients admitted to the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, between 1952 and 1955. This comparison has shown that the mortality has decreased during 1956–1957. The reasons for this have been analysed and discussed, and the rationale for the present regime of treatment is presented. It is concluded that the reduction in mortality has been due to several factors, which include the following: (i) the management of diabetic ketosis by one unit; (ii) the use of alkaline solutions at the commencement of treatment; (iii) the administration of potassium salts early in treatment; (iv) a reduction in the severity of the condition on the patients' admission to hospital. The need is stressed for educating patients and practitioners in the early recognition of this disorder so that mortality may be further reduced.