[Ketoacidotic conditions in patients with diabetes mellitus (problems of classification and therapeutic tactics)].

The paper is concerned with the characteristics of ketoacidotic conditions in patients with diabetes mellitus. The results of the clinical observation over 434 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus associated with diabetic ketoacidotic conditions of different gravity are analyzed. The causes that promoted the development of such complications and the clinico-biochemical characteristics of the patients are presented. Based on the analysis of the patients' condition, the laboratory and clinical findings the authors stress the necessity of differentiating between diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis. The treatment measures are discussed in terms of the complications. It is indicated that in the treatment of ketoacidosis use can be made of splenin. The mechanisms of the beneficial effect of the drug on diabetic ketoacidosis are under discussion. It is also emphasized that diabetic ketoacidosis may develop in patients with any type and gravity of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis are regarded as different stages of the same disease. In case of the late and erroneous therapy any ketosis may transform to ketoacidosis.