Base excess measured at hospital admission is useful for predicting diabetic ketoacidosis severity and resolution time in adult patients.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to identify the biochemical factors measured at hospital admission that could predict diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) resolution time in adult patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 79 patients >18 years of age. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine which variables might predict DKA resolution time. Biochemical parameters between the two DKA resolution time groups were compared.

Results: Using multiple linear regression models, acidosis time was found to decrease by 29 h if the pH value increased by one unit, 0.64 h if the base excess (BE) value increased by 1 mmol, and 1.09 h if the bicarbonate (HCO3) value increased by 1 mmol. The biochemical parameters that differed between the two groups were pH, HCO3, and BE. Patients with delayed resolution of DKA had a blood pH of 7.1 (±0.18), HCO3 of 5.1 mmol (2.9-11.6 mmol), and BE of -21.5 mmol (-28.2 to -14.4 mmol) at hospital admission.

Conclusions: Lower pH, HCO3, and BE values at hospital admission may predict longer DKA resolution times in adult patients. In addition, BE may predict DKA severity.