[Prevalence of dysphosphoremia in patients admitted in intensive care unit with an impaired renal function]

To assess the frequency of dysphosphoremia in patients admitted in intensive care unit with an impaired renal function and to determine the associated risks factors. Study design. - Epidemiological prospective study.

The creatinine clearance and the phosphoremia were measured in 134 consecutive patients admitted in intensive care unit over a six-month period. Patients with chronic renal failure were excluded. Known risk factors for hypophosphoremia in intensive care unit were recorded.

Seventy-nine out of one hundred thirty-four patients (59%) had an impaired renal function (arbitrarily defined by a creatinine clearance < 60 ml/min). The proportion of patients with impaired renal function that where hypo-, normo- (0.8 to 1.2 mmol/l) or hyperphosphoremic was 16, 34 and 50% respectively. Hypophosphoremia was severe (< 0.5 mmol/l) in 5 patients, all with impaired renal function. No risk factors usually associated with hypophosphoremia could be identified.

As opposed to chronic renal failure patients who are mainly hyperphosphoremic, patients admitted in intensive care unit with an impaired renal function may present with a normo-, or hypophosphoremia. These dysphosphoremias are sometimes severe. Phosphate status should be promptly determined at admission.