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Published on: February 18, 2016
Diabetic ketoacidosis associated with cocaine use
E A Warner1, G S Greene, M S Buchsbaum
1Division of General Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612, USA. ewarner@com1.med.usf.edu
Archives of Internal Medicine
|September 17, 1998
Summary
Cocaine use is linked to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), particularly in individuals with multiple admissions. Cocaine users were more likely to miss insulin doses and less likely to have illness as a trigger for DKA.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has known risk factors like missed insulin and illness.
- Substance abuse is an emerging risk factor for DKA.
- The association between cocaine use and DKA requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cocaine use and diabetic ketoacidosis.
- To identify risk factors for DKA in cocaine users compared to non-users.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study.
- Analysis of adult DKA admissions between 1985 and 1994.
- Comparison of cocaine users with non-user controls.
Main Results:
- Cocaine users accounted for 14% of DKA admissions.
- Cocaine users had more frequent DKA admissions than non-users.
- Cocaine users were more likely to omit insulin and less likely to have precipitating illness.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine use is a significant risk factor for DKA.
- Cocaine use is associated with increased insulin omission and lack of precipitating illness.
- Consider cocaine use in patients with recurrent DKA.
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