Patterns and correlates of serum magnesium levels in subsets of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Magnesium (Mg) is the 4th most common mineral and the 2nd most abundant intracellular cation in the body. It plays major roles in various physiological activities and has been implicated in many disease states.Aim:The aim of this study was to study the patterns and correlates of serum Mg in cohorts of type 2 diabetic patients in Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:One hundred and twenty-five patients comprising 63 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) alone and 62 with diabetes and hypertension (HT) were compared with fifty controls matched for sex and age. Basic data, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were obtained while serum Mg was measured by colorimeter. Relationship between serum Mg and glucose control was considered while serum Mg < 1.6 mg/dl was considered as hypomagnesemia.Results:The mean serum Mg of all patients was 2.06 ± 0.49 mg/dl, not statistically different from controls at 2.22 ± 0.48 mg/dl. About ¼ (23.2%) of the patients had hypomagnesemia which was significantly more than 12% of controls. Although the patients with diabetes and HT were older and more of females than those with DM alone, the mean serum Mg was comparable (2.03 ± 0.49 vs. 2.09 + 0.50 mg/dl). Twenty-seven percent (27%) of patients who had DM alone was more than 19.3% with HT and diabetes combined. Whereas the FBG was comparable in patients with hypomagnesemia and normal serum Mg, HbA1c was significantly higher in the hypomagnesemia group (8.39 ± 0.98 vs. 6.75 ± 1.22%, P = 0.021).Conclusion:Hypomagnesemia is common in T2DM outpatients occurring approximately one in four patients. It is associated with poor long-term control.

Plasmatic Magnesium Deficiency in 101 Outpatients Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…In our study, HbA1c was significantly higher in the plasmatic magnesium deficiency group than the normal magnesium status group ( p = 0.04). These results are consistent with those of Odusan et al [ 26 ] and Fujii et al [ 32 ]; these studies suggested a strong relationship between glycemic control and plasmatic magnesium deficiency. However, Walti et al [ 8 ] concluded that plasmatic magnesium was not correlated with glycemic control as measured by HbA1c.…”

“…In medical literature, the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in individuals living with T2DM is about 11–47% in almost all studies and case series [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], which is higher than our prevalence. This prevalence is particularly higher in African countries, where the nutritional intake of magnesium is probably insufficient [ 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…In medical literature, the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in individuals living with T2DM is about 11–47% in almost all studies and case series [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], which is higher than our prevalence. This prevalence is particularly higher in African countries, where the nutritional intake of magnesium is probably insufficient [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. This large difference in these results is related to the differences in magnesium measurement and monitoring methods in heterogeneous populations with different population sizes.…”

The Association Between Serum Magnesium and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adult Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

“…In this study, the prevalence of hypomagnesaemia was 21.5%. From a global viewpoint, this prevalence of hypomagnesaemia was comparable to studies done in Jordan (19%) (10) and Nigeria (23.2%) (11), but lower compared with the United States (75%) (12), Spain (48%) (13), Zurich (37.6%) (3), Cairo (80%) (14), Pakistan (33.9%) (15) and India (34%) (1).…”

Bone fragility during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of macro- and micronutrients

“…83 Magnesium (Mg) contributes to PTH secretion and potassium homeostasis. 84 Foods containing an adequate amount of Mg are nuts, leafy green vegetables, and dairy products. 24 About 50% of Mg present in our body is accumulated in the bone where Mg modulates the size and formation of hydroxyapatite crystals.…”