Examination of the Effects of Chromium Levels on Glucose Metabolism, Lipid Metabolism, Morbidity and Mortality Rates in Patients Followed in Intensive Care Unit

The goal of this observational study is to determine the effects of chromium serum levels on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, morbidity and mortality rates in critically ill intensive care patients. The investigators' goal is to provide a different perspective on solving the common problems of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia encountered in intensive care patients, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality rates.

Participants will give a single blood sample (into trace element serum sample tube) on the day of admission to the intensive care unit, along with routine blood tests, and samples will be taken once a week during their stay in the intensive care unit.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemias; Chromium Deficiency
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Serum Chromium Level

Detailed Description

Hyperglycemia is a common risk factor in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units; increasing hospital stay duration, morbidity/mortality rates and is associated with increased undesirable cardiovascular events, thrombosis, inflammatory changes, impaired immune functions, increased infection frequency, delayed wound healing, osmotic diuresis, fluid - electrolyte imbalances and other issues.

Dyslipidemia plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular disease.

Chromium (Cr) is a trace metal. It has been claimed that trivalent chromium is a cofactor of a low molecular weight chromium - binding substance (LMWCr; also known as chromodulin), an oligopeptide. LMWCr can enhance the action of insulin, thereby improving tissue insulin sensitivity and facilitating glucose transport into the cells. This hypothesis is supported by observations that chromium deficiency leads to an increase in blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglycerides; a decrease in high - density lipoproteins (HDL) and insulin sensitivity.

Patients aged 18 and older admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Hacettepe University Department of Anesthesiology will be included in the study. A single blood sample (into trace element serum sample tube) will be taken from participants in the study group on the day of admission to the intensive care unit, along with routine blood tests, and samples will be taken once a week during their stay in the intensive care unit. The chromium level in the collected blood samples will be analyzed using inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP - MS). The laboratory results of the monitored participants will be prospectively recorded in the data collection form and in International Business Machines Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM SPSS).

A literature review revealed very few publications on the effects of chromium serum levels on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, morbidity and mortality rates; and the existing publications did not include samples of critically ill intensive care patients. With this study, the investigators aim to contribute to the national and international literature with a large sample of intensive care patients. Thus, the investigators' goal is to provide a different perspective on solving the common problems of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia encountered in intensive care patients, aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality rates.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 309

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Ankara, Turkey, 06230
    • Hacettepe University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Every patient; who is over/and 18 years old age, admitted to Anesthesiology Intensive Care Unit, agreed to participate in the study (with informed consent) and not - taking chromium supplement

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years old
• Admitted to Anesthesiology Intensive Care Unit

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient Refusal
• Taking Chromium Supplement

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Intensive Care Patients	Diagnostic test: Serum Chromium Level; Measuring serum chromium levels from patients who admitted in intensive care unit.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Serum Chromium Level	Serum chromium levels of participants were measured once a week throughout the participant's ICU stay, starting from admission. The healthy reference range of 0.7 to 28.0 µg/L for blood chromium levels was used.	Once a week throughout the participant's ICU stay, starting from admission (day 0, day 7, day 14 and day 21).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
HbA1c	The HbA1c level when the participant is admitted to the intensive care unit. Possible levels are less/equal/more than %6,5.	At the time of ICU admission (day 0).
Blood Glucose	During the ICU stay, participants underwent daily blood glucose measurements using the fingertip method. Weekly averages of the measurements were calculated. Although there is no accepted definition of acute hyperglycemia in the critical care setting, it is generally considered to be above 180 - 220 mg/dL. In our study, we considered the value of 200 mg/dL as a threshold for stress hyperglycemia.	Week 1, week 2, week 3 and week 4.
Lipid Profile	Lipid Profiles (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol) of participants were measured once a week throughout the participant's ICU stay, starting from admission. The optimal lipid levels vary depending on age, gender, and other risk factors; however, they are generally recommended within the following ranges: LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL,; HDL cholesterol: Greater than 40 mg/dL for men and greater than 50 mg/dL for women,; Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL,; Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL.	Once a week throughout the participant's ICU stay, starting from admission (day 0, day 7, day 14 and day 21).
Glycemic Variability - Coefficient of Variation (CV)	The coefficient of variation (CV) is the standard deviation divided by the mean of the glycemic values. A higher coefficient of variation is associated with greater glycemic variability. A CV of < 36% is a good threshold. The coefficients of variation were calculated after each participant was discharged from the ICU, based on all the blood glucose values measured during their stay.	During each participant's ICU stay (ranging from 1 to 4 weeks).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Oguzhan Kahveci

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 7, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 8, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): August 14, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 20, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 27, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 10, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Intensive care; Metabolism,glucose; Metabolism,lipid
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Metabolic Diseases; Dyslipidemias; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemias; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Trace Elements; Micronutrients; Chromium
• Other Study ID Numbers: GO 23/488

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: We will discuss this matter with all the researchers and ethics committee.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No