Awareness and knowledge of diabetic ketoacidosis in people with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional, multicenter survey

TY - JOUR

T1 - Awareness and knowledge of diabetic ketoacidosis in people with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional, multicenter survey

AU - Hepprich, Matthias

AU - Roser, Pia

AU - Stiebitz, Sebastian

AU - Felix, Barbara

AU - Schultes, Bernd

AU - Schmitz, Daniela

AU - Rutishauser, Jonas

AU - Schubert, Sabine

AU - Aberle, Jens

AU - Rudofsky, Gottfried

N1 - © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

PY - 2023/11

Y1 - 2023/11

N2 - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate awareness and knowledge of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a common and potentially life-threatening complication in people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A survey was developed to assess individuals' current knowledge, management, and unmet needs regarding DKA. The study was conducted in six Swiss and three German endocrine outpatient clinics specialized in the treatment of diabetes.RESULTS: A total of 333 participants completed the questionnaire (45.7% female, mean age of 47 years, average duration of T1D at 22 years). Surprisingly, 32% of individuals were not familiar with the term 'diabetic ketoacidosis'. Participants rated their own knowledge of DKA significantly lower than their physicians (p<0.0001). 46% of participants were unable to name a symptom of DKA, and 45% were unaware of its potential causes. 64% of participants did not test for ketones at all. A significant majority (67%) of individuals expressed the need for more information about DKA.CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated in specialized centers, knowledge of DKA was found to be inadequate, with a lack of understanding regarding symptoms and causes. Healthcare professionals tended to overestimate individuals' knowledge. Future efforts should focus on addressing these knowledge gaps and incorporating protective factors into the treatment of T1D.

AB - INTRODUCTION: To evaluate awareness and knowledge of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a common and potentially life-threatening complication in people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A survey was developed to assess individuals' current knowledge, management, and unmet needs regarding DKA. The study was conducted in six Swiss and three German endocrine outpatient clinics specialized in the treatment of diabetes.RESULTS: A total of 333 participants completed the questionnaire (45.7% female, mean age of 47 years, average duration of T1D at 22 years). Surprisingly, 32% of individuals were not familiar with the term 'diabetic ketoacidosis'. Participants rated their own knowledge of DKA significantly lower than their physicians (p<0.0001). 46% of participants were unable to name a symptom of DKA, and 45% were unaware of its potential causes. 64% of participants did not test for ketones at all. A significant majority (67%) of individuals expressed the need for more information about DKA.CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated in specialized centers, knowledge of DKA was found to be inadequate, with a lack of understanding regarding symptoms and causes. Healthcare professionals tended to overestimate individuals' knowledge. Future efforts should focus on addressing these knowledge gaps and incorporating protective factors into the treatment of T1D.

KW - Humans

KW - Female

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Male

KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications

KW - Diabetic Ketoacidosis/epidemiology

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Ketones

KW - Ambulatory Care Facilities

U2 - 10.1136/bmjdrc-2023-003662

DO - 10.1136/bmjdrc-2023-003662

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 37949471

VL - 11

JO - BMJ OPEN DIAB RES CA

JF - BMJ OPEN DIAB RES CA

SN - 2052-4897

IS - 6

M1 - e003662

ER -