Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit and its Association with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score – A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Abstract Background: Magnesium deficiency has been reported in 20%–65% of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. They have mortality rates 2–3 times higher and prolonged hospitalization compared with those who have normal serum Mg levels. Objective: The objective of the study was to study serum magnesium levels in patients admitted to ICU and its association with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 patients admitted to ICU. Detailed history, thorough physical examination, serum magnesium measurement, and routine investigations were performed. Based on serum magnesium levels, patients were divided into three groups: hypomagnesemia (<1.7 mg/dL), normomagnesemia (1.7–2.4 mg/dL), and hypermagnesemia (>2.4 mg/dL). SOFA score was calculated within 24 h of ICU admission. Results: Majority were male (65%). Majority were 41–60 years old (46%). Magnesium levels ranged from 1.0 mg/dL to 3.7 mg/dL, with a mean of 1.79 ± 0.59. The mean value of magnesium in the hypomagnesemia group was 1.225 ± 0.117, in the normomagnesemia group was 1.98 ± 0.2, and in the hypermagnesemia group was 2.96 ± 0.32. The mean SOFA score was significantly higher in patients with hypomagnesemia compared to patients with normomagnesemia and patients with hypermagnesemia ( P < 0.05). The incidence of hypomagnesemia was 57.6% in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to 32.8% in those without diabetes. This difference was found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The odds of being diabetic in those with hypomagnesemia were 2.746 times more than those without hypomagnesemia. Conclusions: This study highlights the magnitude of magnesium disturbances on admission in critically ill patients admitted to ICU in the given settings. Hypomagnesemia is associated with a high SOFA score.