Comparative Study of Serum Magnesium Level in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with and Without Foot Ulcer

Diabetic foot ulceration affects 15% of all diabetic individuals during their lifetime and is clearly a significant risk factor in the pathway to limb loss^1.Diabetes Mellitus has been found to be associated with significant reduction in the serum magnesium level. Hypomagnesaemia is found to be associated with development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet reactivity, the two main factors involved in the pathogenesis of foot ulcer^2.

To study the association of Hypomagnesaemia in Type 2 diabetes with & without foot ulcers as compared to controls. 1To analyze the association of serum magnesium level with the duration of diabetes and Glycemic control.

This study was carried out in the Department of Diabetology, Kilpauk Medical College in 3 groups: Group A: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus with foot ulcers(n=30). Group B: Type 2 diabetes mellitus without foot ulcers (n=30). Group C: Healthy volunteers (n=20). Estimation of serum magnesium was done by Calmagite dye method in Dept of Biochemistry, Kilpauk Medical college.

Serum magnesium level in diabetic population was significantly low in comparison to controls. In particular diabetic patients with foot ulcer had the lowest level in serum magnesium. There was negative correlation between fasting blood sugar and serum magnesium in diabetic patients. Duration of diabetes and serum magnesium were inversely related.

Hypomagnesia is an important risk factor in the pathogenesis of foot Ulcer. There is strong association between poor Glycemic control & Hypomagnesaemia. Reduced serum magnesium level may have an adverse bearing on the complications such as foot ulcers & morbidity in patients with diabetes. Reduced serum level could be an early predictor of the course and complications of diabetes.