Electrolytes Level as a Predictor for Poor Prognosis in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Admitted to ICU

Background: COVID-19 acts as a serious public health risk with more than 281 million cases, and more than 5.4 million deaths reported globally. Electrolyte and acid-base imbalance are common in many types of severe diseases. Aim of study: To investigate the role of electrolyte disturbance at admission in predicting the outcome of severe cases of COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit. Patients and Methods: A prospective study that was conducted in the intensive care unit during a period of three years from April 2021 to April 2024. It included 82 patients who were diagnosed with severe or critical COVID-19 infection and admitted to the intensive care unit. Samples were collected during the initial 24 hrs. after admission and on the 7th day for all patients to investigate serum electrolytes. Results: In this study, 29.3% of study patients showed poor prognosis. Mean of S. Na and S. Ca were significantly lower; while mean of S. K was significantly higher in patients who showed poor prognosis than those who showed good prognosis. S. Na level < 134 mEq/L, S. K level > 5.2 mmol/L, and S. Ca level < 0.65 mmol/L at day 1 of RCU admission are predictors for poor prognosis in severe COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, and hyperkalemia at admission to ICU in patients with severe COVID-19 infection were associated with poor prognosis. Electrolyte investigation is an easy and inexpensive way for assessment of severity progress in severe COVID-19 infection and prediction of mortality and morbidity.