Abstract
Aim. To investigate the association between serum magnesium levels and microvascular complications among patients with diabetes. Methods. Patients with diabetes were recruited between April 2012 and January 2015. All patients received an assay of serum magnesium concentration, were screened for 24 h albumin excretion rate, and underwent nonmydriatic fundus photography. Albuminuria and retinopathy were defined accordingly. A total of 3,100 patients with normal serum magnesium levels were included in this study. Results. Patients with albuminuria and/or retinopathy had lower levels of serum magnesium than patients without these complications (P < 0.001). The prevalence of isolated albuminuria, isolated retinopathy, and combined albuminuria and retinopathy decreased as the concentration of serum magnesium increased. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratio for isolated albuminuria, isolated retinopathy, and concomitant albuminuria and retinopathy decreased by approximately 20% for every 0.1 mmol/L increase in serum magnesium concentration. Conclusion. Serum magnesium levels were negatively associated with the risk of diabetic microvascular complications among patients with serum magnesium levels within the normal range.
Highlights
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions, and is crucial for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism [1]
Hypomagnesemia has been reported in 13.5% to 47.7% of nonhospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes compared to a prevalence of 2.5% to 15% in nonhospitalized patients without diabetes [3]
We investigated the association between serum magnesium levels and microvascular complications among diabetic patients with normal serum magnesium levels
Summary
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions, and is crucial for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism [1]. Magnesium is an essential mineral most notably present in foods rich in dietary fibre, nonstarchy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy products [2]. Low levels of magnesium have been associated with increased insulin resistance, the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, or even diabetes medication [4,5,6]. Dietary supplementation with magnesium may alleviate insulin resistance and decrease diabetes risk. In the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, dietary magnesium intake was positively associated with increased insulin sensitivity after adjusting for confounding factors [7]. A meta-analysis provided further evidence that magnesium intake is significantly inversely associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a dose-dependent manner [8]. Supplementation with magnesium may help control diabetes in patients with type 1 diabetes [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
