Development of indices for determining extracellular fluid sodium and water status in acute diabetic ketoacidosis: possible tools for clinical audit.

摘要

The limitation of plasma sodium concentration as an indicator of extracellular hydration status in cases of acute diabetes is well recognized and could lead to individually inappropriate fluid therapy. However, in view of the small analytical and biological variations exhibited by plasma concentrations of protein, water, and sodium in health, we have developed simple laboratory indices that may better describe the extracellular environment. Preliminary data presented here for 20 patients with acute diabetic ketoacidosis admitted as emergencies to Crosshouse Hospital suggest that the type of approach we describe has the potential to supply meaningful therapeutic data to the managing physician and, therefore, merits further study in a clinical setting.