Serum C-peptide assay of patients with hyperglycemic emergencies at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja

摘要

IntroductionHE are common acute complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and include diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), normo-osmolar hyperglycemic state (NHS) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). They contribute a lot to the mortality and morbidity of DM. The clinical features include dehydration, hyperglycemia, altered mental status and ketosis. The basic mechanism of HE is a reduction in the net effective action of circulating insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia and ketonemia (in DKA) causing osmotic diuresis and electrolytes loss. Infection is a common precipitating factor.Measurement of serum C-peptide provides an accurate assessment of residual β-cell function and is a marker of insulin secretion in DM patients.