Infective complications of a left hand injury with diabetic ketoacidosis
AI-generated summary
A 75-year-old woman died from infective complications of a left hand wound sustained in a fall from a ladder in November 2023, complicated by undiagnosed diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite family encouragement to seek medical attention, she declined treatment, claiming falsely to have seen a doctor and taken antibiotics. The wound became severely infected with cellulitis, lymphadenopathy, and bone exposure. She had not accessed any medical care or medications for two years prior to death. The case highlights the dangers of untreated infection in diabetic patients, the importance of medical engagement despite patient reluctance, and the risk of social isolation and self-neglect in elderly living alone.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
infectious diseasesendocrinologyemergency medicinegeneral practiceforensic medicine
Error types
delaydiagnostic
Clinical conditions
diabetic ketoacidosissevere hand infectioncellulitissepsisundiagnosed diabetes mellituswound infection
Contributing factors
Delayed presentation and refusal to seek medical care
Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes mellitus
Severe infection of hand wound with cellulitis and bone involvement
Diabetic ketoacidosis triggered by severe infection/sepsis
Social isolation and living alone
Needle phobia and reluctance to engage with medical system
Misinformation to family about receiving treatment
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