#1698356 Evaluating Obesity Trends Among Diabetic Ketoacidosis Admissions in Relation to Emerging Anti-Obesity Medications: A Five-Year NIS Database Analysis

The interrelation between obesity and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a critical aspect of diabetes management. This study examines the prevalence of obesity in patients admitted for DKA from 2016 to 2020, correlating these trends with the advent of new anti-obesity medications, using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and ICD-10 codes. A retrospective analysis of the NIS database was conducted, focusing on patients over 18 years electively admitted for DKA. Annual obesity prevalence among these patients was calculated and compared across the five-year period. Our findings indicated a variable trend in obesity prevalence among DKA patients. In 2016, obesity was present in 9% of DKA admissions (n = 196,766), rising to 9.4% in 2017 (n = 175,000). A notable decline to 5% was observed in both 2018 (n = 123,580) and 2019 (n = 123,500), followed by a slight increase to 6% in 2020 (n = 108,666). The decrease in obesity rates among DKA patients during the latter part of the study period coincides with the introduction and increased use of new anti-obesity medications, suggesting a potential influence of these treatments in improving obesity management among this population. The fluctuating obesity rates in DKA admissions, particularly the decline from 2017 onwards, may be partially attributed to the emergence of new anti-obesity medications. This trend highlights the importance of such therapeutic advances in managing obesity, a key risk factor in DKA. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of obesity trends in DKA patients and suggest the potential impact of advanced pharmacological interventions in mitigating obesity-related risks in diabetes care.