Diabetic ketoacidosis risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Hassan A. Kazmi BSc, MD [2]
Overview
Overview
Common risk factors in the development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are young age, high mean glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, infection, low physical activity, depression, lack of health insurance, poor socioeconomic status, low body mass index, improper management of diabetes and unemployment.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Factors increasing risk
The following factors are associated with an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA):[1][2][3][4][5]
- Young age
- High mean glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
- Infection
- Low physical activity
- Depression
- Lack of health insurance
- Low body mass index (BMI)
- Delayed or improper management of diabetes
- Low socioeconomic status
- Unemployment
Factors decreasing risk
The following factors are associated with a reduced risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA):[6]
- Family history of type 1 diabetes
- Higher education level of both patient and parents
- Higher background incidence of type 1 diabetes (associated with increased awareness of DKA)
- Adequate and optimum management of diabetes
References
References
- ↑ Weinstock RS, Xing D, Maahs DM, Michels A, Rickels MR, Peters AL, Bergenstal RM, Harris B, Dubose SN, Miller KM, Beck RW (2013). “Severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis in adults with type 1 diabetes: results from the T1D Exchange clinic registry”. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 98 (8): 3411–9. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-1589. PMID 23760624.
- ↑ “Clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with diabetic ketoacidosis hospitalization in adults with Type 1 diabetes – Butalia – 2013 – Diabetic Medicine – Wiley Online Library”.
- ↑ Cengiz E, Xing D, Wong JC, Wolfsdorf JI, Haymond MW, Rewers A, Shanmugham S, Tamborlane WV, Willi SM, Seiple DL, Miller KM, DuBose SN, Beck RW (2013). “Severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis among youth with type 1 diabetes in the T1D Exchange clinic registry”. Pediatr Diabetes. 14 (6): 447–54. doi:10.1111/pedi.12030. PMC 4100244. PMID 23469984.
- ↑ “Diabetes Care”.
- ↑ Low JC, Felner EI, Muir AB, Brown M, Dorcelet M, Peng L, Umpierrez GE (2012). “Do obese children with diabetic ketoacidosis have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?”. Prim Care Diabetes. 6 (1): 61–5. doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2011.11.001. PMC 3746511. PMID 22230097.
- ↑ “Factors associated with the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of diabetes in children and young adults: a systematic review | The BMJ”.
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH