Study of triglyceride level, severity and time of normalization in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Abstract

In diabetic patients, glycemic control is evaluated by fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Based on recent observations, the HbA1c level in diabetic patients can give precise and better glycemic control results, especially in the last three months. Recent studies have shown that cholesterol and triglyceride levels can be related to diabetic status in these patients. The aim of this study was investigation the level of triglycerides in terms of severity and time of normalization in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20 patients with diabetes and DKA were included. Demographic information of the patients, including age, sex, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes, last dose of insulin received for diabetes control, the last result of fasting blood sugar and HbA1c test, and the cause of DKA were recorded. Then, patients were tested for lipid profiles, including triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and cholesterol, by taking 5 ccs of blood while fasting. Triglyceride levels were checked in patients at the acute attack and one week later. Results: The median age of the patients was 31 years, but the gender distribution of the patients was the same. The median serum triglyceride level in the studied patients with DKA was 314.50 mg/dl, ranging from 208 mg/dl to 814 mg/dl. The median time for the normalization of serum triglyceride level was 6 days, and no significant correlation was observed in the study of the relationship between insulin dose and the reduction of serum triglyceride level (r=-0.258, p=0.272).