MORTALITY IN DIABETIC COMA

Abstract

Mortality statistics of diabetic coma at the Los Angeles County General Hospital are here presented and analyzed in an attempt to evaluate the importance of the various factors which influence the mortality of such coma. The data were compiled from all consecutive cases of diabetic coma encountered in this hospital from 1930 through 1940. Included were only those cases in which were present (1) an elevated level of blood sugar, (2) a low carbon dioxide-combining power and (3) clinical symptoms of diabetic coma, with definite signs of mental depression. This series totaled 315 cases of coma in 274 diabetic patients. Coma occurred twice in 16 patients, three times in 5 patients, four times in 1 patient and seven times in 2 patients. GROSS MORTALITY STATISTICS As has been emphasized by many observers,¹ the gross mortality of diabetic coma has little comparative value, since so many variable factors are involved