Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, with an increasing global prevalence and significant public health implications. Alterations in serum calcium and magnesium have been linked to poor glycemic control and diabetes-related complications, yet these parameters are often neglected in routine management. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum calcium and magnesium levels in individuals with T2DM and determine their association with glycemic control and complications. The objectives were to assess the prevalence of calcium and magnesium abnormalities in patients with T2DM, examine correlations between these electrolytes and glycemic markers (HbA1c and fasting blood glucose), and explore associations with diabetic complications, including neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 80 participants (50 T2DM patients and 30 healthy controls) was conducted in Osun State, Nigeria. The data collection methods included structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical analyses of FBG, HbA1c, serum calcium, and magnesium. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Showed that diabetic participants were significantly older, with serum magnesium levels markedly lower in people with diabetes (1.47 ± 0.34 mmol/L) compared to controls (1.89 ± 0.18 mmol/L, p < 0.05), while serum calcium showed no significant difference. Magnesium exhibited a moderate negative correlation with FBG (r = –0.559, p < 0.001) and HbA1c (r = –0.622, p < 0.001), whereas calcium showed no significant correlation with either. Conclusion: Magnesium deficiency was common and strongly associated with poor glycemic control, suggesting it may serve as a biochemical indicator in T2DM. Therefore, it can be concluded that magnesium assessment should be incorporated into diabetes care protocols, alongside conventional glycemic markers. Recommendations include patient education on magnesium-rich diets, consideration of supplementation under medical guidance, and larger longitudinal studies to confirm causal relationships and evaluate the benefits of magnesium correction on long-term outcomes.
Adebayo et al. (2026) studied this question.