Abstract

DOMINGUEZ RUIZ, Misael; CALDERON MARQUEZ, María Antonieta  and  MATIAS ARMAS, Rosa. Clinical-epidemiological features of diabetes acute complications in the emergency ward at Atizapan General Hospital. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2013, vol.56, n.2, pp.25-36. ISSN 2448-4865.

Background: The epidemic of diabetes mellitus is recognized by the World Health Organization as an increasing world menace. It has been estimated that there are more than 180 million diabetic patients in the world. This amount can double by the year 2030. In Mexico, diabetes is the first cause of mortality over other problems such as chronic or infectious diseases or accidents. Acute complications of diabetes account for almost 30% of the hospitalized patients in the emergency room, from which the mortality rate reaches 10%. Objective: To identify clinical and epidemiological features of the patients presenting acute complications of diabetes mellitus admitted to the emergency ward at Atizapan General Hospital, a suburb of Mexico City. Material and Methods: Prospective, transversal, descriptive, observational study with 1417 diabetic patients admitted to the emergency ward at Atizapan General Hospital from July the first, 2010 until June 31, 2011. Results: A hundred patients (7%) were admitted with a diagnosis of acute complications of diabetes. Hypoglycemia (48%) was the most frequent complication followed by diabetic ketoacidosis (33%), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (17%) and finally lactic acidosis (2%). Neurological and digestive were the main symptoms and most patients came from low socioeconomic level. Conclusions: Timely identification of the clinical manifestations of acute complications of diabetes allows better and faster attention avoiding severe complications. Social, economic and cultural and/or educational factors may foster complications; therefore, health education is essential to prevent such conditions.

Keywords : Acute complications of diabetes mellitus; hypoglycemia; Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state; ketoacidosis; lactic acidosis.