This study evaluated the incidence and characteristics of abdominal pain in 200 patients with hyperglycemic crises, including 189 with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and 11 with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic state (HHS). The study found that abdominal pain occurred in 86 of 189 (46%) patients with DKA but none of the patients with HHS. Abdominal pain in DKA was associated with more severe metabolic acidosis and higher rates of alcohol and cocaine abuse. In 30% of DKA cases, abdominal pain was attributed to the underlying cause of ketoacidosis. Abdominal pain resolved with treatment of ketoacidosis except in a few cases requiring surgery. Sever