DEKODE DKA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving the care of people with diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA): The DEKODE (Digital Evaluation of Ketosis and Other Diabetes Emergencies) study
IRAS ID
344284
Contact name
Punith Kempegowda
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes that requires emergency hospital treatment. In the UK, over 32,000 cases of DKA occur annually, resulting in significant physical, emotional, and financial impacts. The DEKODE (Digital Evaluation of Ketosis and Other Diabetes-related Emergencies) study aims to improve DKA care by identifying differences in treatment across hospitals, understanding patient and healthcare provider experiences, and assessing the cost-effectiveness of a new model of DKA management.
The study has five parts:
Identifying inequities in care: Anonymized health data will be used to explore variations in DKA care across the UK based on age, gender, ethnicity, and region.
Lived experiences: Patients who have been treated for DKA, their carers, and healthcare professionals will be invited to participate in surveys and interviews. Patients will complete a short questionnaire during their hospital stay and have follow-up interviews 3 and 6 months after discharge to share their experiences. Healthcare professionals involved in DKA care will also take part in interviews.
Implementation of DEKODE: Staff from NHS hospitals will be interviewed to assess how the DEKODE model is being adopted and its impact on patient care.
Cost-effectiveness: Data collected from hospitals will be used to evaluate the financial benefits of the DEKODE model, but no direct participant involvement is required for this part.
This study aims to improve the quality and consistency of DKA care, reduce inequalities in treatment outcomes, and ensure better patient experiences across the UK.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
25/IEC08/0011
Date of REC Opinion
16 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion