Long term outcomes of critically ill patients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening but avoidable complication of diabetes. It results in
uncontrolled blood sugars in combination with increasing blood acid levels. A proportion of patients
become extremely ill and require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Little research has been
published relating to the long-term consequences of severe DKA. Using a ‘big data’ approach, the
project will use a large anonymised database to describe the long-term outcomes (mortality,
readmission to hospital, costs) of patients admitted to all Scottish ICUs, and identify those at risk of
dying or hospital readmission. This may enable clinicans to better target follow-up care for patients
and ultimately improve outcomes.