Serum Magnesium Levels In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Its Association With The Microvascular Complications

Abstract

Background and objectives Hypomagnesemia has been associated with type 2 diabetic mellitus and is known to be a risk factor for microvascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate serum magnesium levels in patients with type 2 DM and correlate them with microvascular complications. Methodology The present one year hospital based cross-sectional study was done on 150 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from January 2014 to December 2014 in Department of Medicine, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. Serum magnesium levels were assessed in all the diabetic patients and they were also tested for presence of microvascular complications. Results In the present study majority of the patients (71.33%) were males and male to female ratio was 2.48:1. The commonest age group was > 60 years (50%) and the mean age was 60.38 ± 10.81 years. The duration of diabetes in 45.33% of the patients was between 6 to 10 years and mean duration was 7.43 ± 4.11 years. Fasting blood sugar levels were ≥ 126 mg/dL in 77.33% of the patients and HbA1c levels were ≥8.5% in 51.33% of the patients. Serum magnesium levels were < 1.8 mg/dL in 41.33% of the patients. Microvascular complications were present in 54.67% of the patients and diabetic retinopathy was present in 32%. Diabetic nephropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were seen in 36% of the patients each. Hypomagnesemia was associated with microvascular complications including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy (p<0.050). Also association was found between serum magnesium levels glycaemic control and duration of diabetes (p<0.050). Conclusion Hypomagnesemia is widely prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a major risk factor for the development microvascular complications that is, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.