Serum Magnesium and Other Electrolyte Levels in Chronic Alcoholic Patients in a Tertiary Mental Care Centre in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh India

Background : In this study we sought to investigate the effects of chronic alcoholism on the body leading to changes in levels of serum magnesium and other serum electrolytes. METHOD: A total of fifty (50) patients with chronic alcoholism without treatment were included in the study. Twenty five (25) healthy non alcoholic controls were also included in the study for comparison. RESULTS: Magnesium levels were decreased in patients of chronic alcoholism with 1.5+0.09 mg/dl (mean+SD) when compared to controls with 2.2+0.21mg/dl (mean+SD) with a statistically significant ‘p’ value of <0.0001. Serum electrolytes i.e sodium levels increased in cases with a (mean+SD)145 +1.23 mEq/L when compared to controls with138+3.13 mEq/L(mean +SD) with a statistically significant ‘p’ value of <0.001. Potassium levels decreased in cases with 3.2+0.14 mEq/L (mean+SD) when compared to controls with 3.7+0.25 mEq/L (mean+SD) with a statistically significant ‘p’ value of <0.001. CONCLUSION: In chronic alcoholism the renal tubular defects contribute to the abnormalities of serum electrolytes and magnesium metabolism.