Serum magnesium: an early predictor of course and complications of diabetes mellitus
Sharma, A.; Dabla, S.; Agrawal, R.P.; Barjatya, H.; Kochar, D.K.; Kothari, R.P.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 105(1): 16 18 20
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 17802971 Document Number: 614404
This study was conducted to assess whether the reduced serum magnesium level could be an early predictor of course and complications of diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted in 50 diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2) and 40 healthy subjects of same age and sex who were taken as control. Serum magnesium level was inversely related with glycaemic control. When haemoglobin A1C was more than 8.1, the mean serum magnesium was 1.79+or-0.2882 meq/litre and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.738; p<0.013). Similarly when fasting blood sugar was >=200 mg% or more, the mean serum magnesium level was 1.81+or-0.285 meq/litre and the difference was also statistically significant. In patients having multiple complications (2 or more) the mean serum magnesium level was low (mean 1.82+or-0.03 meq/litre) whereas amongst the single complication, diabetic retinopathy showed a significant association with serum magnesium level (mean 1.76+or-0.26 meq/litre) and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.005). There was no statistically significant difference between serum magnesium and ischaemic heart disease, dyslipidaemia and family history of diabetes (p<0.250, 0.430 and 0.510, respectively). In obese and hypertensive patients, the serum magnesium levels were significantly low (p<0.042 and 0.000, respectively) and the difference was statistically significant. The results showed a strong association between hypomagnesaemia and duration of diabetes and poor glycaemic control.