Association of Serum Magnesium Levels with Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Hypomagnesemia is a frequently underrecognized metabolic derangement in diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to determine the association of serum magnesium levels with diabetes mellitus and its microvascular and macrovascular complications. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine over 18 months. A total of 128 diabetic patients (age ?18 years) were enrolled from a diabetic outpatient clinic. Serum magnesium levels, glycaemic markers (FBS, PPBS, HbA1c), renal function tests, and clinical data were collected. Patients were assessed for microvascular complications (nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy) and macrovascular complications (IHD, CVA, PVD). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Of 128 participants (mean age 53.6 years; 54.7% male), hypomagnesemia (<1.7 mg/dL) was present in 82 patients (64.1%), compared to an expected prevalence of ~5% in the general population (p < 0.003). Diabetic nephropathy was the most common microvascular complication (35.9%), followed by neuropathy (30.5%) and retinopathy (27.3%). Ischemic heart disease was the predominant macrovascular complication (36.7%). Patients with nephropathy and chronic kidney disease had significantly lower mean serum magnesium levels (p < 0.05). An inverse trend was also noted between serum magnesium and HbA1c. Patients on diuretics or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) demonstrated lower magnesium levels compared to those not on these agents. Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia is highly prevalent among diabetic patients and is significantly associated with nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. Routine monitoring of serum magnesium in diabetic care, especially in patients with renal complications or on diuretics/PPIs, is recommended.