Background/Aim. Acid-base disorders are common within critically ill
patients. Physicochemical approach described by Stewart and modified by
Figge gives precise quantification method of metabolic acidosis and insight
into its main mechanisms, as well as influence of unmeasured anion on
metabolic acidosis. The aims of this study were to determine whether the
conventional acid-base variables are connected with survival rate of
critically ill patients at Intensive care unit; whether strong ion
difference/strong ion gap (SID/SIG) is a better predictor of mortality rate
comparing to conventional acid-base variables; to determine all significant
predictable parameters for the 28-day mortality rate at intensive care
units. Methods. This retrospective observational analytic study included 142
adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation, survivors (n = 68) and
nonsurvivors (n = 74). Apparent strong ion difference (SIDapp), effective
strong ion difference (SIDeff) and SIG values were calculated with the
Stewart-Figge?s quantitative biophysical method. Descriptive and analytical
statistical methods were used in the study [t-test, Mann-Whitney U test,
?2-test, binary logistic regression, Reciever operating characteristic
(ROC) curves, calibration]. Results. Age, Na+, acute physiology and chronic
health evaluation (APACHE II), Cl-, albumin, SIG, SID app, SIDeff, and
aninon gap (AG) were statistically significant predictors. AG represented a
model with imprecise calibration, i.e. a model with little predictive power.
APACHE II had p-value more than 0.05 if it was near it, and therefore it
could be considered potentially unreliable for outcome prediction. SIDeff
and SIG represented models with well-defined calibration. ROC analysis
results showed that APACHE II, Cl-, albumin, SIDeff, SIG i AG had the
largest area bellow the curve. By creation of logistic models with
calibration methods, we found that outcome depends on SIG and APACHE II
score. Conclusion. Based on our data, unmeasured anions provide prediction
of mortality of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, unlike
the traditional acid-base variables which are not accurate predictors of the
28-day mortality rate.