Abstract
Lack of magnesium can be associated with an abnormal immune function, as proven in acute and chronic infections. Moreover, the literature suggests that patients with bacterial infections, on average, have a statistically significant decrease in serum magnesium concentration. The aim of this prospective quasi-experimental study was to examine and determine whether the consumption of magnesium-rich bottled water improves the outcome in patients suffering from recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). More specifically, the idea was to compare the outcomes of such patients (who consumed the aforementioned water) with the outcomes of equivalent patients who consumed regular tap drinking water. Forty-four adult patients aged between eighteen and eighty-four years that had a history of recurrent UTIs, participated. Participants were divided into two groups based on the type of water they consumed. The patients that consumed the local tap drinking water constituted the group A (N=22) and the patients that consumed the magnesium-rich bottled water constituted the group B (N=22). The required daily water intake was 2.0-2.5 litres. The tests that patients underwent when they initially entered the study (T0) were the following, a) urine analysis, b) urine culture, and c) measurement of serum magnesium levels. Furthermore, these tests were repeated during a scheduled follow-up, which occurred nine months after the participants entered the study (T1). After nine months of the different type of water consumption, there was no statistically significant difference concerning the number of UTIs between the groups (group A - group B). Moreover, patient who belonged to group B, had statistically significant higher serum magnesium levels than those in group A, regardless of their age. More studies are necessary to determine the effect of consuming magnesium-rich water on recurrent UTIs.
Highlights
Urinary tract infections are quite a common phenomenon
Patients who belonged to group B increased their serum magnesium levels by 0.250 mg/dL after nine months of magnesium-rich bottled water consumption, with a statistically significant degree (P value =0.001)
This difference was statistically significant. This is the first prospective quasi-experimental study in Greece which examines whether the consumption of magnesium-rich bottled water improves the outcomes of patients suffering from recurring urinary tract infection (UTI)
Summary
Urinary tract infections are quite a common phenomenon. Bacteria will periodically enter the urinary bladder through the urethra in small quantities. Small populations of bacteria may occasionally invade, multiply, and colonize the urinary tract. If the bacteria form colonies in the bladder, this may result in an infection of the kidneys and may cause acute inflammation in the renal parenchyma. Urinary tract infection causes acute morbidity and long-term effects, including hypertension and decreased renal function [5]. The symptoms of urinary tract infection are as follows: i) intense urination, ii) burning sensation in urine, iii) frequent urination with small amounts of urine, iv) hematuria, v) malodorous urine and vi) pelvic pain [7,8]
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