Association of serum magnesium levels with glycosylated hemoglobin and degree of neuropathy in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Introduction and Aim: Magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin response. Deficiency of magnesium can increase the incidence of Type 2 DM and complications associated with it. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has become the most common chronic diabetic complication affecting about half of the diabetic patients. DPN causes debilitating complications like foot ulcers, gangrene leading to lower limb amputation reducing the quality of life in Diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to find out the levels of serum magnesium in DPN and find its association with severity of neuropathy in DPN. Materials and Methods: Total 286 participants with signs and symptoms of DPN were recruited for the study. They were classified into different severity according to their VPT scoring. Fasting and Postprandial venous blood sample were collected for estimation of FBS, HbA1C, serum Magnesium and PPBS respectively. Serum magnesium was found in different severities of neuropathy in DPN. Correlation between serum magnesium, HbA1C and severity of DPN was done. Results: Mean serum magnesium was 1.62±0.38 mg/dL. There was statistically significant decrease in serum magnesium with an increase in severity of DPN. Significant correlation was seen between serum magnesium and FBS, PPBS, HbA1C and VPT scoring in DPN patients. Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia was found to be associated with DPN and its severity suggesting low serum magnesium may affect peripheral nerve function. Hence, regular monitoring of serum magnesium should be done to prevent chronic complications related to Type2 DM.