Significance of Serum Magnesium Level in Prognostication of Septicemic Patients

Abstract

Background: Magnesium being the fourth most populous cation in the human body, and the second most populous intracellular cation next to potassium; it plays an essential physiological role in many functions of the body.²The incidence of hypomagnesemia varies from 20% to 65% in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.³ There is a paucity of data in Indian literature, addressing this common, but underdiagnosed electrolyte deficiency. Hence, we set out with an objective of studying the level of Serum Mg in critically ill patients admitted in Intensive medical care unit and correlating the outcome with APACHE II scoring.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 372 critically ill patients admitted in a Intensive medical care unit, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad  during the period of March 2021to September 2021 among Critically ill adult patients agedmorethan18years, admitted in IMCU. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score have been calculated for each patient on the day of admission to Intensive care unit. Venous blood samples was taken to assess serum magnesium levels. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 25 and results obtained were expressed in proportions. The study was conducted after obtaining permission from the IEC of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad.

Results: 27.42%) were found to have low magnesium level (1.39±0.32). Out of 102 hypomagnesemia patients, mean age of the participants was 57.12±13.49, mean serum magnesium level was 1.39±0.32 mg/dl and mean APACHE-II score was 26.14±5.8. Majority of the patients (68.82%) had normal s. magnesium level, 27.42% had Hypomagnesemia and 3.76% had Hypermagnesemia on first day of admission. 75.46 % had Hypomagnesemia on 3^rd day of admission and 44.15% had Hypomagnesemia on 7^thday of admission. Among Hypomagnesemia patients, 55.88% had chances of multiorgan failure. Mean duration of icu stay was (6.07±0.35) among Hypomagnesemia patients. Majority of the Hypomagnesemia patients had Hypertension (55.88%).

Conclusions: This study highlight hypomagnesemia is common electrolyte abnormality seen in critically ill patients which usher to higher chances of requirement of mechanical ventilation and mortality.