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INTRODUCTION: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It occurs due to a decrease in the level of insulin and an increase in the level of glucose in the blood, which makes cells unable to use glucose as an energy source and begin to break fat into ketones; an overload of ketones levels in the blood can lead to DKA. The aim of the study is to assess awareness of DKA among diabetic patients and their caregivers in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study collected through an online questionnaire of diabetic patients and their caregivers in Makkah City. A self-reported questionnaire designed in Arabic and English through the use of Google Forms, it distributed electronically via social media to the target population with the objectives of the survey. RESULTS: A total of 400 participants were included, 73% of them were males, while 27% were females. A 9% of the participants have been diagnosed with DKA. A high awareness level about DKA was found in 32.5% of participants, while 67.5% had a poor awareness level. Factors associated with a high level of awareness towards DKA are young age, being single, students and having a previous DKA diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Regarding our participants who have poor awareness of DKA, further education for diabetic patients and their caregivers about DKA is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications, and improve quality of life for these patients.
RESUMO
RATIONALE: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infancy that can cause permanent brain damage. Consequently, optimal management is extremely important. Current pharmacologic and surgical treatment were available that included diazoxide and octreotides. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 4 month old Saudi male patient diagnosed at our hospital as CHI, treated with near total pancreatectomy and octreotide therapy of 30âmcg/kg/day presented with severe abdominal distension, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) associated with Rota virus infection which played together with octeriotides as risk factors for NEC. INTERVENTIONS: Radiological investigations and multidisciplinary team management with endocrinologist, neonatologist, pediatric surgeon, and gastroenterologist. OUTCOMES: Resolution of NEC with conservative medical management and was discharged after 1 month of hospital stay with follow up with all concerned sub specialties. LESSONS: NEC can develop in patients treated with octreotides especially when associated with another risk factor such as rotavirus infection.