Risk factors for carnitine deficiency in critically ill adults: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Critical illness is a risk factor for carnitine deficiency. Carnitine deficiency may result in serious medical complications and poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and potential predictors of carnitine deficiency.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a convenience sample of 144 critically ill adults admitted to a surgical or cardiovascular intensive care unit at the University of Utah Hospital, with serum carnitine levels measured from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to explore potential predictors of carnitine deficiency, which was defined as a free serum carnitine level <36 µmol/L.

The mean age of patients was 56.5 years; 41.7% of the sample had carnitine deficiency. For each unit decrease in body mass index, the odds of developing carnitine deficiency increased by 5% compared with maintaining normal free carnitine status (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-0.99). Those prescribed continuous renal replacement therapy were 2.43 times more likely to develop carnitine deficiency than those not on continuous renal replacement therapy (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.12-5.25).

A high proportion of our study population had carnitine deficiency. Continuous renal replacement therapy and a lower body mass index were significant predictors in the multivariable model. Female sex and a history of chronic kidney disease may warrant further exploration based on significance in the univariable analysis.