title: Hypocalcemia in a Saudi intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypocalcemia has been a common abnormality in the West, seen in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). It has also been linked with disease severity. We undertook this study to determine the frequency of hypocalcemia in patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective chart review from January 2004 till December 2004, patients admitted to our ICU were reviewed. Patients' age, sex, diagnosis, acute physiology and chronic health score APACHE II and ionized calcium were recorded. Patients were divided into three groups based on disease severity as measured by APACHE II. Hypocalcemia was defined as ionized Ca level less than 1.18 mmol/L. Frequency was determined in each group and correlation of hypocalcemia with disease severity was explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypocalcemia was seen in 22.2% in group A (APACHE II < 10), 40.4% in group B (APACHE II 10-19) and 53.9% in group C (APACHE II > 19). Hypocalcemia and disease severity (APACHE II scores) were negatively correlated (P = 0.02). Mean ionized Ca levels in groups A, B and C were 1.22 mmol/L (+/-0.10), 1.19 mmol/L (+/-0.11) and 1.25 mmol/L (+/-0.24) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypocalcemia is a common finding in critically ill patients. It is correlated with worsening disease severity. Mechanisms underlying hypocalcemia and the possible relationship of hypocalcemia with mortality need further consideration.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, King Abdulaziz National Guard Hospital, PO Box 2477, Alhasa, 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mobeen
authors: M
authors: Iqbal
authors: Rifat
authors: R
authors: Rehmani
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Hijazi
authors: Ayman
authors: A
authors: Abdulaziz
authors: Sayed
authors: S
authors: Kashif