In a hospital-based study in northwestern Ethiopia some clinical and biochemical features
of diabetes mellitus have been assessed to contribute to the problem of classification
of diabetes in a tropical country. Diabetes requiring primary insulin treatment is
presented by unequivocally elevated blood glucose levels and the classic symptoms
of the disease. Newly discovered cases and readmitted rural diabetics show significantly
lower body mass indices and 31% have been classified as underweight. The overall frequency
of ketonuria at (re)admission was 45% together with moderately elevated or high 3-hydroxybutyrate
serum concentrations. The hormonal status is characterized by a reduced β-cell function.
Serum concentrations of all carnitine fractions are lower in both normal and diabetic
Ethiopians when compared with caucasoids. carnitine precursor amino acids are normal
and the complete amino acid spectrum reveales no clear-cut pattern related to protein-energy
malnutrition.
Insulin-dependent diabetes - Ketosis - Carnitine status - Serum amino acids - Ethiopia
