MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS USING ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTIONS CONTAINING GLUCOSE, RICE, OR GLYCINE

Objective-To assess the risk of hyperglycaemia with two standard oral rehydration solutions that contain carbohydrate compared with a carboh ydrate free solution during rehydration of diabetic patients with acut e diarrhoea. Design-Prospective randomised allocation to one of three oral rehydration solutions (World Health Organisation (glucose), rice, or glycine) groups after admission to hospital with acute diarrhoea. Setting-Dhaka hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Dise ase Research, Bangladesh. Subjects-45 diabetic patients aged between 1 5 and 60 who had had diarrhoea for fewer than three days on admission. Main outcome measures-Fluctuation of blood glucose concentrations mea sured three times a day, daily stool output, and time taken for recove ry from diarrhoea. Results-There were no significant differences in bl ood glucose concentrations, stool output, and duration of recovery fro m diarrhoea among the three groups. Conclusions-Oral rehydration solut ions containing glucose, rice powder, or glycine can be safely adminis tered to diabetic patients with acute diarrhoea and some dehydration.