is intra-cellular magnesium concentration correlate with morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients? a cross-sectional study

Background: hypomagnesemia is a common electrolyte disturbance among critically ill patient which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. in this study, correlations between serum and intra-cellular magnesium concentrations at the time of intensive care unit (icu) admission with icu complications and mortality were evaluated.methods: this cross-sectional study included 70 consecutive adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary referral teaching hospital during a six-month period. serum and intra-cellular magnesium levels were measured on admission. clinical information, morbidity, and mortality were followed and recorded during icu stay until discharge or death.results: on admission, 37.14% of patients suffered hypomagnesemia. low intra-cellular magnesium level was observed in 44.28% of patients. cardiovascular complications and mortality were significantly higher in patients with lower serum and intra-cellular magnesium levels when compared to patients with normal levels (p < 0.05). there was a significant correlation between serum magnesium level on icu admission and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (apache ii) score (r = ˗0.39, p < 0.001). conclusion: particular attention should be reserved to possible prognostic and therapeutic consequences of magnesium depletion in critically ill patients. magnesium deficiency was associated with a higher apache ii score on admission, higher cardiovascular complications, and increased mortality.