Assessment the relationship between phosphorus and magnesium, serum level with clinical outcome in head trauma patients

Background Traumatic brain injury is the second leading cause of death in Iran. Having knowledge of the factors affecting the clinical outcomes of these patients can improve the therapeutic outcomes. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) serum levels during admission with clinical outcomes of patients with head trauma. Methods This descriptive-analytic study was conducted in the intensive care unit of Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Qazvin, Iran from March to August 2018. Participants were 70 patients with head trauma under mechanical ventilation who had inclusion criteria. They were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Based on admission P level, patients were divided into two groups of hypophosphatemia (P> 3 mg/dL) and normophosphatemia (P≥3 mg/dL); and based on admission Mg level, they were assigned into two groups of hypomagnesemia (Mg <1.5 mg/dL) and normomagnesemia (Mg ≥1.5 mg/dL). Hypomagnesemia group was compared with normomagnesemia group, and hypophosphatemia group with normophosphatemia group in terms of clinical outcomes. Findings There was a significant difference between two Mg groups in terms of successful weaning (P=0.03), mechanical ventilation duration (P=0.01), and death rate (P=0.03), but not in terms of endotracheal extubation and length of hospital stay (P>0.5). The difference between two P groups was significant only in terms of successful weaning (P=0.006).  Conclusion Serum levels of phosphorus and magnesium affect the clinical outcomes of patients with head trauma.