Assessment of Magnesium Status in Type 2 Diabetes: Relation with Glycemic Control and Chronic Complications

Background and Aim: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency has been frequently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate Mg status in patients with T2DM using an intravenous Mg load test and to determine a correlation between Mg deficiency, glycemic control, and the occurrence of chronic complications.

Methods: A descriptive study conducted between 2020 and 2021 in the department of Endocrinology of the Hedi Chaker Universitary Hospital of Sfax, Tunisia, including adults aged over 18 years. The Mg deficiency was defined by a Mg retention rate over 50% after Mg load test.

Results: Thirty patients were included in the study, 53% of whom were women. The average age was 57.3 ± 10 years old. The prevalence of hypomagnesemia was 17%. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 57% had a confirmed Mg deficiency (G1) and 43% had a normal Mg status (G2). G1 patients had a more unbalanced diabetes than G2 patients but insulin resistance was observed with a higher frequency among the latter. Both microvascular (retinopathy, microalbuminuria, diabetic neuropathy) and macrovascular (coronary heart disease, stroke, lower limb arteriopathy) complications of diabetes were observed more frequently in G1 but without statistical significance. Risk assessment using univariate and multivariate models showed that age over 55 years is associated with Mg deficiency in diabetic patients.

Conclusion: Mg deficiency is more prevalent among T2DM patients, with age over 55 years as a major risk factor. Mg deficiency is associated with a poorly balanced diabetes and the occurrence of macro and micro-vascular complications.