Relationship between magnesium level and mortality in intensive care unit patients

Objektive: The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between serum magnesium (Mg) levels on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and patient survival following discharge. Materials and Methods: In the period between 01.11.2021 and 01.11.2022, a total of 204 patients aged ≥18 years who were subjected to a minimum of 24 hours of observation in the Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit of our hospital during the aforementioned period were included in the study. Patients for whom data could not be obtained were excluded from the study.Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory data, APACHE II and SOFA scores, mechanical ventilator requirements and mortality rates of the patients were compared according to Mg levels measured during admission to the intensive care unit.Patients were divided into five groups according to Mg levels: Group 1 (<1.8 mg/dL), Group 2 (1.8-<2 mg/dL), Group 3 (2-<2.2 mg/dL), Group 4 (2.2-<2.4 mg/dL) and Group 5 (>2.4 mg/dL). Results: Following the categorisation of patients according to Mg levels, no statistically significant disparities were observed between the groups with regard to age, gender and chronic disease (p=0.174, p=0.177, p=0.202). Mechanical ventilation (MV) needs and mortality rates were higher in the group with the highest Mg level (>2.4 mg/dL) compared to the other groups (p=0.02, p=0.008). While SOFA and APACHE II scores were not statistically significant when analysed between groups (p=0.001, p=0.034), SOFA and APACHE II scores were found to be higher in the hypermagnesaemic (>2,4 mg/dL) group. Conclusion: In the present study, elevated mortality and mechanical ventilation (MV) requirements were observed in the cohort with the highest Mg level (>2.4 mg/dL). These findings underscore the significance of Mg monitoring in critically ill patients. Prospective studies can be conducted in larger study groups to further explore this subject.