Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis treated at Bach Mai Hospital.
Subjects and methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted in 55 patients with diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic ketoacidosis who were treated at Bach Mai Hospital between September 2025 and June 2026.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.6 ± 19.5 years. Females accounted for a higher proportion than males (58.2% vs. 41.8%), and patients aged ≥ 60 years represented the largest age group (34.5%). Newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was identified in 36.4% of patients, while 65.7% had a history of poor treatment adherence. Symptoms of hyperglycaemia (81.8%) and metabolic acidosis (72.7%) were the most common clinical manifestations. The mean HbA1c level was 10.96 ± 3.01%, and the mean blood glucose concentration was 30.12 ± 13.17 mmol/L. Most patients presented with severe metabolic acidosis at admission, with serum bicarbonate (HCO₃-) levels < 10 mmol/L (72.7%).
Conclusions: Diabetic ketoacidosis at Bach Mai Hospital was more frequently observed in females, older adults, and patients with newly diagnosed diabetes or poor glycaemic control. The condition was characterised by marked hyperglycaemia and severe metabolic acidosis at the time of hospital admission.