Endocrine emergencies are rare in general practice but it is important that GPs know the key aspects of diagnosis and management which may be life saving. Diabetic emergencies are the most common and can present acutely and unexpectedly. Disorders of the hypothalamic pituitary axis are much less frequent so can be harder to diagnose. It is vital for a GP to recognize the key signs of endocrine disorders, initiate appropriate management and arrange timely referral.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Diabetes. Beware the silent assassin; a report from diabetes UK (2008) Accessed via www.diabetes.org.uk [date last accessed 3.6.2011].
2.
FaichG.A.FishbeinH.A.EllisS.E.The epidemiology of diabetic acidosis: a population-based study. American Journal of Epidemiology (1983) 117 (5): p. 551–8.
3.
HardernR.QuinnN.Emergency management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults. Emergency Medical Journal (2003) 20 (3): p. 210–3.
4.
Kings Fund. Counting the cost: the real impact of non insulin dependent diabetes (1996) British Diabetic Association ISBN 1899288 45 7.
5.
LinS.F.LinJ.D.HuangY.Y.Diabetic ketoacidosis: comparisons of patient characteristics, clinical presentations and outcomes today and 20 years ago. Chang Gung Medical Journal (2005) 28: p. 24–30.
6.
NHS Diabetes. Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Care Group—management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults (2010) Accessed via www.diabetes.nhs.uk/document.php?o=1336 [date last accessed 28.04.2011].
7.
RamrakhaP.S.MooreK.P.SamA.Oxford handbook of acute medicine (3rd edition) (2010) Oxford University Press ISBN-10: 0198520727.
ShawJ.E.SicreeR.A.ZimmetP.Z.Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2010) 87 (1): p. 4–14.