Dhwaleswarapu Markendeyulu, NadigotlaVikram Ali Benhar
BACKGROUND Magnesium is the second most prevalent intracellular cation. Hypomagnesemia is common, occurring in approximately 12% of hospitalized patients. Among ICU patients, prevalence of hypomagnesemia ranges from 11% to 65%. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital (Rangaraya Medical College) of Andhra Pradesh from January 2018 to December 2018. 100 patients admitted in intensive care units were selected for the study. After obtaining a written informed consent and ethical clearance patients were subjected to clinical examination and investigated for serum magnesium, serum calcium, serum potassium, serum sodium, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine. RESULTS The data was analysed, and results were tabulated. Patients were divided into two groups based on the magnesium levels less than 1.8mg/dl hypomagnesemics, n = 50 and more than 1.8 normomagnesemics, n=50. Results were compared between two groups. The following results were observed. In this study 48% of patients aged more than 60 years with serum magnesium levels less than 1.8mg/dl, 52% was age less than 60 years. 26% of patients with magnesium levels of more than 1.8mg/dl aged more than 60 years and 74% less than 60 years. In the present study among the patients with magnesium levels less than 1.8mg/dl, 62% of patients are males and 38% are females and male to female ratio 1.63:1 while in those with magnesium levels of more than 1.8mg/dl, 74% were males and 26% females with male to female ratio 2.84:1. However this difference was statistically not significiant (P=0.198) (table 1, 2). 16% of the patients had APACHE ll SCORE more than 30 with magnesium levels less than 1.8mg/dl and remaining 84% APACHE ll SCORE was less than 30. 2% of patients with magnesium levels more than 1.8mg/dl APACHE ll SCORE was more than 30 and remaining 98% less than 30(P=0.037). CONCLUSION Hypomagnesemia is a common electrolyte imbalance in the critically ill patients and is associated with higher mortality rate, more frequent and more prolonged ventilator support. So early diagnosis and treatment of hypomagnesemia is necessary.
