Abstract

Background: Magnesium is a critical ion that is essential for life. It is intimately
involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. It also has important endocrine functions and
is required for protein synthesis. Studies have shown that magnesium levels are lower in
patients with diabetes compared with non-diabetic controls. Hence this work was
undertaken to evaluate the relationship between serum magnesium and diabetes
mellitus without and with microvascular complications. Aim: To compare the serum
magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without micro vascular
complications. Objectives: To estimate serum magnesium levels in type 2 Diabetes
mellitus, to correlate serum magnesium level in type 2 diabetics with and without micro
vascular complications.
Materials and Methods: Serum magnesium levels of 60 patients having type 2 diabetes
with microvascular complications (cases) compared to 60 patients with type 2 diabetes
without microvascular complications (control).
Results: Mean duration of diabetes (yrs) was significantly high in cases (3.58) than
controls (10.15) (p<0.001). FBS and PPBS did not show significant difference between
controls and cases. HbA1c (%) was significantly higher among cases (9.93±2.50) than
controls (8.98±2.26). Serum magnesium levels were significantly lower among cases
(1.46±0.32) than controls (1.92±0.25). Hypomagnesaemia did not significantly differ
between various sub groups of micro vascular complications.
Conclusion: Serum magnesium levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients with
microvascular complications than in diabetic patients without microvascular
complications. Hypomagnesemia was more common in diabetics with poor glycemic
control.