Magnesium level changes and its possible effects on the outcome of patients admitted to intensive care unit

Abstract

Background: Hypomagnesemia is a usual finding in patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) that is usually the result of magnesium (Mg) loss from renal or gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the relationship between the level of Mg in serum and outcome of patients admitted to ICU. Methods: The current cross sectional, descriptive study was performed on patients admitted to ICU for 1 year. All of the patients stayed at least 2 days in ICU. Data on the underlying disease were collected based on a check list. All patients were followed-up until the discharge time. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analyses using SPSS software ver. 18.0. Results: One hundred one patients (52 males and 49 females) were enrolled in the current study. Most of the underlying diseases in patients were pulmonary (31.7%) and renal (24.8%) diseases. Hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia were observed in 31.7% and 17.8% of the patients, respectively. Hypomagnesemia was mostly observed in patients with gastrointestinal (50%) and renal diseases (36%). Among the 101 patients, 71 (70.3%) cases died and 30 (29.7%) cases were discharged from the hospital. Hypomagnesaemia was observed in 28.1% of dead patients and 40% of the discharged ones. There was no significant correlation between the serum level of Mg and patients outcome. Conclusions: Further studies should be conducted on the total serum Mg and ionized level of Mg in serum, and their correlation with the outcome of patients admitted to ICU.