The APACHE II Score and Mortality
in Relation to Hypocalcaemia
in Critically Ill Patients
Published: August 1, 2011 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2011/.1473
Ravindra Prabhu Attur, Waqas Wahid Baig, Prakash Kori, Vishwanath S., Madhur Agrawal, Sonal Sukreet, Mungli Prakash
Departments of Nephrology, St Matthew’s University, School
of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI.
Departments of Nephrology, St Matthew’s University, School
of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI.
Departments of Medicine, St Matthew’s University, School of
Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI.
Departments of Medicine, St Matthew’s University, School of
Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI. Departments of Biochemistry, St Matthew’s University,
School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI.
Departments of Biochemistry, St Matthew’s University,
School of Medicine, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI.
Corresponding Author.
Correspondence
Dr. Prakash Mungli MD.,
Department of biochemistry and genetics,
St Matthew’s University, School of Medicine,
P.O.BOX 30992, Regatta Office Park, Leeward Three,
Grand Cayman KY1-1204, CAYMAN ISLANDS, BWI.
Tel: +345 814 3187; E-mail: prakashmungli@yahoo.co.in
Background: Electrolyte imbalance is commonly seen in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Hypocalcaemia is one of the most common electrolyte deficiencies found in these patients.
Methods: This study was conducted on 110 critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU (71 males and 39 females). The patients were classified into two groups, group I (patients expired) and group II (patients completely recovered). We further subclassified the patients, based on the APACHE II score into three groups as group A (APACHE II score <15), group B (APACHE II score 15-25) and group C (APACHE II score >25). The serum calcium, magnesium and albumin levels were determined byusing a clinical chemistry auto analyzer. Corrected calcium was calculated by using formula.
Type of study: Prospective/Retrospective.
Results: There was a significant decrease in the calcium and the corrected calcium levels in the group I patients as compared to those in group II (p<0.05). There was significant hypocalcaemia in the group C patients as compared to the group A and group B patients (p<0.01). The calcium levels correlated negatively with the APACHE II score.
Conclusions: There is a direct correlation between hypocalcaemia and mortality in the critically ill patients. Hypocalcaemia and the APACHE II score were negatively correlated.
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