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Endocrine Abstracts (2022) 81 RC10.7 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.81.RC10.7

1University Hospital Basel, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Basel, Switzerland; 2Kantonsspital Olten, Olten, Switzerland, Stoffwechselzentrum, Olten, Switzerland; 3Charité Universitätsmedizin, Medizinische Klinik für Endokrinologie, Berlin, Germany; 4Stoffwechselzentrum St. Gallen - friendlyDocs AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland; 5Gesundheitszentrum Fricktal, Endcrinology Rheinfelden, Rheinfelden, Switzerland; 6Kantonsspital Basel-Land, Endocrinology, Bruderholz, Switzerland; 7MedCenter Volta, Basel, Switzerland; 8Diabetespraxis Buxtehude, Buxtehude, Germany; 9University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Section Endocrinology and Diabetology, Hamburg, Germany


Background/Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) with potentially life-threatening course. Data on patient knowledge about DKA in German-speaking countries is rare. Thus, we aimed to gather data about T1DM patients’ knowledge in terms of DKA.

Methods: Together with two T1DM patients and an experienced diabetes counselor, we developed an anonymous questionnaire covering general knowledge about DKA, as well as baseline health and social characteristics. First, health care professionals rated patient’s knowledge about their management of diabetes and DKA from 0 (no idea) to 10 (best knowledge) and patients were then asked to fill out the questionnaire at the end of their outpatient clinic appointment. Filling out the questionnaire was fully voluntary.

Results: 5 Swiss and 1 German endocrine outpatient clinics participated in the study. In total, 333 questionnaires were collected. Patients had a mean diabetes duration of 22 years (SD 15), and 109 (33.5%) patients used insulin pumps and the remainder basal/bolus insulin therapy. 176 patients (54%) stated that they were male and 148 (45%) female. Mean age was 47 years (SD 16). 78 patients (24%) were not familiar with the term “diabetic ketoacidosis” and 25 (7.7%) were unsure about it. The patients’ personal knowledge on DKA was rated significantly lower by themselves (mean 4.33, SD 3.11 vs 5.60, SD 2.34; P<0.0001) compared to their physicians’ assessment but correlated significantly (r=0.268, 95% CI [0.1253; 0.3992]; P=0.0002). 46% of patients were not able to name any symptom and 44% could not spontaneously think of possible causes of DKA. When presented with multiple answers to choose from, thirst (74%), polyuria (66%), sleepiness (66%) and nausea/vomiting (51%) were among the most frequently picked. As causes of DKA, 61% stated “missed insulin injection” and 54% “illness”. 185 (64%) patients do not test for ketone bodies at all. About 40% of all patients felt secure in treating DKA with 206 patients (67%) wanting more information about the condition.

Conclusion: Patient knowledge about DKA is insufficient, especially symptoms and causes are not well understood. However, most patients would like to have more information about DKA, making it a good point to start from in the attempt to reduce DKA prevalence.

Volume 81

European Congress of Endocrinology 2022

Milan, Italy
21 May 2022 - 24 May 2022

European Society of Endocrinology 

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