Incidence, characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective prognosis cohort study in an emergency department.

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most frequent hyperglycemic complication in the evolution of diabetes mellitus. Common precipitating factors include newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, noncompliance with therapy and infections. However, few studies have been conducted in Brazil and none were prospective in design.