Factors Associated with Length of Hospital Stay in Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Evidence from Jordan

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Data on the clinical characteristics of DKA patients and factors affecting length of hospital stay (LOS) in Jordan are limited. This study aimed to assess the clinical profiles of patients admitted with DKA to public hospitals in Jordan and to identify determinants of LOS.
Methods: A validated questionnaire was used to collect demographic, clinical, biochemical, and treatment-related data from hospital records and patient verification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: Most patients admitted with DKA had few comorbidities, with a mean LOS of 4.8 days. Male sex and newly diagnosed diabetes were associated with longer LOS. In contrast, higher educational level, regular glucose monitoring, and the use of injectable antidiabetic medications were significantly associated with shorter LOS. Additionally, acetone breath and generalized weakness were linked to reduced LOS. Routine glucose monitoring significantly shortened LOS (p = 0.006).
Conclusion: Several clinical and behavioral factors significantly influenced LOS in patients with DKA. Early diagnosis, patient education, and consistent glucose monitoring may reduce hospitalization duration, while injectable therapies may be beneficial in recurrent DKA cases.