The medtech giant shared findings from multiple studies at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions (ADA 2026) in New Orleans that demonstrate sharp increases in DKA-related hospitalizations across all age groups with type 1 and type 2 diabetes nationwide.
Abbott said its findings at ADA 2026 reinforce the opportunity ahead to better detect rising ketones before DKA develops.
To take on this issue, Abbott has developed a dual glucose-ketone sensor. The company said its dual sensor marks a world first, continuously measuring glucose and ketone levels every minute. Branded as Libre Duo and Libre Duo 10 Day, the sensors provide real-time visibility into glucose levels as a standard CGM like Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system does, but also into rising ketones that can lead to a DKA emergency.
Abbott won CE mark for Libre Duo and Libre Duo 10 Day last week. It has also filed a regulatory submission with the FDA, though the system remains investigational in the U.S. at present.
EVP of Diabetes Care Chris Scoggins explained the potential of the sensor in an interview with Drug Delivery Business News last year. Earlier this year, Abbott shared study data outlining the growing burden of DKA.
A look at the ADA findings shared by Abbott
At ADA, Abbott’s studies covered hospitalization, admission diagnosis and insurance claims to better understand the challenges in identifying DKA. The company aimed to evaluate the condition’s rising impact in young people and growing prevalence in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Abbott said a study of more than 100,000 people across the U.S. found DKA difficult to recognize when a person first arrives at the hospital. Early symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue or stomach pain, often overlap with many common illnesses. The company said a confirmed DKA diagnosis depends on blood tests that may not be immediately available at admission. Such delays highlight the importance of approaches to recognize DKA earlier for timely care.
In a second study of more than 200,000 people, Abbott found an increase in DKA hospitalization rates among people with type 1 diabetes. Those rates rose approximately 24% from 2017 to 2024, increasing from 50 to 62 cases per 1,000 individuals. The increase proved more pronounced in children compared to adults. Most DKA events led to hospitalization, while severe hypoglycemia rates stayed low and stable.
Finally, an analysis of nearly 40,000 pediatric hospitalizations showed that DKA now drives nearly 60% of all diabetes-related hospitalizations among youth with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Most U.S hospitalizations among children with diabetes relate to DKA. Abbott said the majority require inpatient care lasting up to one week, costing up to $38,000 per stay.
A separate study with data from millions of people also showed the likely underreporting of DKA in adults with type 2. When diagnosed after admission as a secondary condition, DKA is often associated with longer hospital stays, higher costs and increased rates of death.
“These findings from Abbott show that diabetic ketoacidosis remains a growing challenge to identify, as DKA can develop quickly and mimic common illnesses,” said Dr. Kurt Midyett, pediatric endocrinologist at Saint Luke’s Endocrinology Specialists in Kansas City, Missouri. “When early symptoms are misattributed, delays in diagnosis are common and often result in lengthy and costly hospitalization. This data underscores the importance of addressing gaps in recognition to help detect rising ketones before DKA develops.”
