Study of the Association of Serum Magnesium with Hyperglycemia in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Magnesium is the second most common intracellular cation and plays a fundamental role as a cofactor in glucose-transporting mechanisms of the cell membrane and various enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between serum magnesium and blood glucose levels and also to find out, if there is any relation between serum magnesium and chronicity of diabetes mellitus. Hundred known diabetic adult patients of both sexes, with or without complications were recruited as cases in our study. Hundred age and sex matched healthy individuals formed our control group. Fasting and post prandial plasma glucose and serum magnesium levels were estimated in all the samples of individuals of our study. Results were statistically analysed to arrive at meaningful conclusions. We found that serum magnesium levels were significantly low in diabetic patients (1.52±0.76 mg/dL) as compared to controls (2.45±0.22mg/dL) (p value<0.001). Also there was a significant inverse correlation between serum magnesium and fasting plasma glucose levels in diabetic patients (r=-0.612, p value<0.001). Thus from our study it is concluded that there is a profound relationship between serum magnesium and hyperglycemia in diabetes and hypomagnesemia is a significant occurrence in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Therefore the estimation of serum magnesium becomes imperative in patients of diabetes as changes in its levels may have a bearing on the course and chronicity of the illness in such patients.