Characteristics of Ketosis-onset Diabetes in Tunisian Population

Different types of diabetes can be presented by a ketosis (DK) or ketoacidosis (DKA). The objectives of this study were to analyze the characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes revealed by DK or DKA and discuss the different types of diabetes particularly ketone prone type 2 diabetes. Subjects and methods: Retrospective study including 288 patients with new ketosis onset diabetes; 178 men, mean age: 35.5 years. We analyzed clinical, biological, therapeutic and subsequent clinical course data. Diabetes was classified according to clinical, biological and follow-up data. Results: It was a DKA in 39 cases (13.5 %). Patients were classified as type 1 in 62.2% of cases and ketosis type 2 diabetes in 34.7 % of cases. As compared to type 1 diabetes, ketosis type 2 diabetes patients had a more advanced age, higher body mass index and waist circumference, and less frequent DKA. After the acute episode, 60% of ketosis type 2 diabetes was treated with insulin and half of them had associated metformin. After a mean follow-up of 2.4 years, 52% of ketosis type 2 diabetes patients were treated with oral hypoglycemic agents. Conclusion: Ketosis type 2 diabetes is a relatively new entity accounting for about one third of all new cases of DK or DKA in our population.