Estimation of ionized calcium, total calcium and albumin corrected calcium for the diagnosis of hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
OBJECTIVE
To measure levels of ionized calcium, total calcium and albumin corrected calcium in patients with different malignant disorders for the diagnosis of hypercalcaemia of malignancy.


METHODS
A case control comparative study.


METHODS
The study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Department of Oncology CMH, Rawalpindi from March 2003 to December 2003.


METHODS
Ninetyseven patients of various malignant disorders, admitted in the Department of Oncology, CMH, Rawalpindi, and 39 age and gender-matched disease-free persons (as control) were included in the study. Blood ionized calcium (Ca++), pH, sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) were analysed by Ion selective electrode (ISE) on Easylyte auto analyser. Other related parameters were measured by colourimetric methods.


RESULTS
Blood Ca(++) levels in patients suffering from malignant disorders were found significantly high (mean +/- SD: 1.30+017 mmol/L) as compared to control subjects (mean +/- SD 1.23+0.03 mmol/L) (p<0.001). The number of patients with hypercalcaemia of malignancy detected by Ca(++) estimation was significantly higher (38%) as compared to total calcium (8.4%) and albumin corrected calcium ACC (10.6%) (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in other parameters e.g. phosphate, urea, creatinine, pH, Na+ and K+ levels in study subjects and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of hypercalcaemia can be markedly improved if ionized calcium estimation is used in patients with malignant disorders.
Ijaz
Aamir
A
Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. ijaz_aamir@hotmail.com
Mehmood
Tariq
T
Qureshi
Ayaz Hussain
AH
Anwar
Masood
M
Dilawar
Muhammad
M
Hussain
Iftikhar
I
Khan
Farooq Ahmad
FA
Khan
Dilshad Ahmad
DA
Hussain
Shujaat
S
Khan
Iqbal Ahmad
IA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism*
D012709:Serum Albumin; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium