Low magnesium status in type 2 diabetic Nigerian

Background: Magnesium deficiency is reported to be frequently associated with adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients. There is limited data on the frequency of magnesium deficiency among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in our setting. Objectives: To determine the frequency of magnesium deficiency, as determined by plasma magnesium level, among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a Specialist Hospital in north eastern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study carried out among forty (40) subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and forty (40) apparently healthy controls. Fasting plasma magnesium and glucose levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: Mean plasma magnesium level was significantly lower in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the controls (0.74 ± 0.09mmol/L vs. 0.89 ± 0.23mmol/L, p < 0.05). Frequency of hypomagnesemia among subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus was 32.5% compared to 17.5% among the controls. Hypomagnesaemia was associated with female sex, greater body mass index and longer duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Hypomagnesium is relatively common among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in our setting. We recommend periodic/routine estimation of magnesium status among type 2 diabetic patients and appropriate replacement therapy if hypomagnesemia is detected. We also recommend further studies that will investigate the mechanism of the magnesium depletion; and its association with complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in our setting. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Type 2; Magnesium; Nigeria