Comparison of serum and urinary calcium profile of immobilized and ambulant trauma patients

Abstract Background Hypercalcemia occurs more frequently than is recognized in patients who are immobilized, but most of these patients are asymptomatic. This study is to determine serum and urinary calcium levels, incidence of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria in immobilized and ambulant trauma patients. Methods A prospective comparative study was carried out over a period of seven months. Total serum calcium level and 24-hour urinary calcium output were measured weekly over 4 weeks in 55 immobilized trauma patients as study group and 51 ambulant trauma patients as control group. Results Mean total serum calcium of immobilized patients increased progressively (on admission: 2.315 ± 0.056 mmol/l and week 4: 2.552 ± 0.231 mmol/l, p p  = .348). There is a significant difference in overall mean total serum calcium between immobilized and ambulant patients ( p p Conclusion Mean total serum calcium increased with increased duration of immobilization in trauma patients. Both immobilized and ambulant trauma patients developed hypercalciuria but it is worse and earlier in the immobilized trauma patients.