The characteristics and outcome of 700 consecutive cases of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in Libyan diabetic patients studied over a six month period are reported. Moderate to severe diabetic ketoacidosis was included (M:5 1, F:49). Seventy-eight percent of the episodes were in patients with known diabetes. Ninety-five percent ofpatients with DKA were classifiedas having type 7 diabetes mellitus. Compared to female patients, the male patients had a significantly lower Body Mass Index (BMl) (20.9 vs 22.5 Kc#&, p < 0.001) and more clinically underweight male subjects were identified (20/ 57 vs 6/49, p c 0.01)
. The most common cause of DKA was stopping insulin therapy, which occurred in 4 1 % of the episodes, followed by first presentation and infection. A trend towards more male subjects stopping insulin was observed. Mortality was 2%. We conclude that the rnajorify of cases of DKA in Libyan diabetic patients is potentially avoidable by simple education and is associated with a low mortality. Sex-relatedfeatures of patients with DKA are suggestive of a 'male affitude diabetes syndrome ' . Practical Diabetes Int 1999; 16(6): 171 -1 73