CLINICAL PROFILE AND PRECIPITATING FACTORS OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS IN ADULTS: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening acute complication of diabetes. Understanding the clinical profile, precipitating factors, and outcomes can inform prevention strategies and optimize care. Aim: To describe the clinical profile, precipitating factors, and short-term outcomes of adult patients admitted with DKA at a tertiary care center.Department of general medicine,SRG Hospital & Jhalawar medical collage,Jhalawar Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational study of consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with DKA between July 2024 to June 2025. Data included demographics, type of diabetes, precipitating factors, biochemical parameters at admission,length of stay, and in-hospital outcome.Descriptive statistics were used.Results:A total of 30 patients were included (mean age 45.3 years;males 66.7%).The most common precipitating factor was infection (40.0%),followed by missed insulin and new-onset diabetes. Mean random blood glucose was 489 mg/dL, mean pH 7.17, and mean bicarbonate 10.8 mmol/L.Median hospital stay was 7.0 days.In-hospital mortality was 13.3%.Conclusion:In this singlecenter cohort, infection was the leading precipitant for DKA, and overall mortality was low.Targeted patient education and early infection management may reduce recurrence and improve outcomes.