Diabetic ketoacidosis amongst patients with COVID-19: A retrospective chart review of 220 patients in Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus and diabetic ketoacidosis and associated factors in COVID-19-positive patients. Background: High mortality amongst SARS-Cov2 patients may be attributed to diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis. Methods: A total of 220 COVID-19 positive patients, hospitalized in North West General Hospital & Research Center, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan, from April to September 2020, were analysed using STATA 14. Patients with positive PCR were labelled as COVID-19 positive and were included in the study. Patients with a clinical picture of COVID-19 and negative PCR were excluded from the study. Those having ketonemia >0.6 and random blood glucose level >250mg/dl, while HCO3 (bicarbonate) ≤18, were labelled as diabetic ketoacidosis. The statistical significance level was set at p