Correlation between Serum Magnesium Levels and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in Sepsis Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Recent efforts to understand what affects the outcomes of sepsis patients have begun to focus on minerals and electrolytes, particularly magnesium. This essential mineral plays a key role in maintaining physiological balance and supporting numerous biochemical functions within the body. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum magnesium levels and NEWS in sepsis patients. Between December 2023 and February 2024, 32 patients with sepsis were admitted to the ICU at Haji Adam Malik Hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Blood samples were collected upon ICU admission to analyze serum magnesium levels. NEWS scoring data were extracted from the ICU observation sheet and categorized into low risk (NEWS 0-4), moderate risk (NEWS 5-6), and high risk (NEWS ≥7) groups. Low serum magnesium levels are often found in ICU patients with sepsis and are associated with the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and organ dysfunction. Most of the subjects were male (59.4%), with a median age of 64 years, and were classified as high risk (68.8%). No significant variations in serum magnesium levels were observed across NEWS risk groups (p = 0.205). Nonetheless, a moderate negative correlation was observed between serum magnesium levels and the NEWS score (p < 0.001). Tracking serum magnesium levels in sepsis patients is essential for assessing risk factors and identifying individuals who might benefit from intensive interventions, ultimately aiming to enhance patient outcomes.