Inmigración y diabetes mellitus: características de la descompensación diabética aguda: Immigration and diabetes mellitus: characteristics of the acute diabetic decompensation

Abstract

BackgroundWe aimed to study whether significant differences exist between non European immigrants (NE-I) and native Spaniards (N-S) in clinical, biochemical and epidemiological characteristics when admitted for acute hyperglycaemic crisis at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department. MethodsA prospective analysis of 98 adults consecutively admitted for acute hyperglycaemic crisis during 30 months was performed. Patients were divided into groups according ethnicity. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data were compared between both groups. ResultsImmigrants represented 42.9% of cases. More than half of the cases NE-I were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Rate of new onset diabetes was higher among NE-I. N-S had more severe hyperglycaemia and acidosis. Positive ICA were more frequent in NE-I with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Before admission, no prandial insulin was being used for NE-I either T1DM or T2DM. ConclusionsNE-I represent a high percentage of admission due to hyperglycaemic crisis, with a better metabolic profile. Among this group, T2DM is more frequent than T1DM. The immunological profile (ICA) of patients with T1DM could differ according ethnicity and the medical management of diabetes, and prevention of comorbidities could be influenced by socio-cultural differences.