Increased risk of death following recurrent ketoacidosis admissions: a Brazilian cohort study of young adults with type 1 diabetes

Abstract Background Recurrent DKA (rDKA) remains an acute type 1 diabetes complication even in post-insulin era. This study aimed to analyze the predictors and effects of rDKA on the mortality of patients with type 1 diabetes. Methods Patients hospitalized (n = 231) wih diabetic ketoacidosis (between 2007 and 2018) were included. Laboratorial and clinical variables were collected. Mortality curves were compared in four groups: diabetic ketoacidosis as a new-onset type 1 diabetes (group A), single diabetic ketoacidosis episode after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (group B), 2–5 diabetic ketoacidosis events (group C), and > 5 diabetic ketoacidosis events during follow-up period (group D). Results During the follow-up period (approximately 1823 days), the mortality rate was 16.02% (37/231). The median age at death was 38.7 years. In the survival curve analysis, at 1926 days (5 years), the probabilities of death were indicated by ratios of 7.78%, 4.58%, 24.40%, and 26.63% in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. One diabetic ketoacidosis episode compared with ≥ 2 events had a relative risk of 4.49 (p = 0.004) of death and > 5 events had 5.81 (p = 0.04). Neuropathy (RR 10.04; p 2 diabetic ketoacidosis episodes have four times greater risk of death in 5 years. Microangiopathies, mood disorders, and use of antidepressants and statins were important risk factors for short-term mortality.