Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/22334
Title: Risk variables associated with abnormal calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels among emergency department patients.
Austin Authors: Taylor, David McD ;Date, Patrick A ;Ugoni, Antony;Smith, Jesse L;Spencer, William S;de Tonnerre, Erik J;Yeoh, Michael J 
Affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Central Gippsland Health, Sale, Victoria, Australia
Department of Emergency Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Issue Date: Apr-2020
Date: 2019-12-17
Publication information: Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA 2020; 32(2): 303-312
Abstract: The utility of calcium, magnesium and phosphate measurement in the ED is limited. We aimed to determine clinical risk variables for abnormal levels of these electrolytes in order to inform the development of an ordering guideline. We performed a retrospective, observational study of patients who presented to a tertiary referral ED between January and June 2017. Adult patients who had serum calcium, magnesium or phosphate tests completed during their ED stay were included. Presenting symptoms and signs, comorbidities, medication use and laboratory values were extracted from the medical record. Patients with missing data items were excluded. Logistic regression models determined clinical risk variables associated with low and high levels of each electrolyte. A total of 33 120 adults presented during the study period. Of the 1679 calcium, 1576 magnesium and 1511 phosphate tests, 228 (13.6%), 158 (10.0%) and 387 (25.6%) were abnormal, respectively. Significant risk variables (P < 0.05) for abnormal levels were: hypocalcaemia - vomiting, perioral numbness, hand/foot spasm, calcium and phosphate supplements and chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] range 5.9-17.3); hypercalcaemia - female sex, vomiting, polyuria, confusion, hyperparathyroidism, cancer and type 1 diabetes (OR range 2.3-9.7); hypomagnesemia - female sex, proton pump inhibitor use, tacrolimus use, alcohol abuse and type 2 diabetes (OR range 2.2-13.1); hypermagnesemia - lethargy, thiazide use and chronic kidney disease (OR range 4.3-4.5); hypophosphatemia - nausea, seizure and glucocorticoid use (OR range 1.7-2.1); and hyperphosphataemia - polyuria, diuretics and chronic kidney disease (OR range 1.9-5.0). A range of demographic, comorbid, medication and clinical variables are associated with abnormal calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels. These findings will inform the development of clinical guidelines to rationalise calcium, magnesium and phosphate testing. Justification may be required for testing patients with no risk variables.
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/22334
DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13411
ORCID: 0000-0002-8986-9997
Journal: Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA
PubMed URL: 31847050
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Choosing Wisely
calcium
emergency health service
magnesium
phosphate
utility
Appears in Collections:Journal articles

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