Frequency of low serum magnesium level in diabetic and non-diabetic patients compared with other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

To assess the frequency of serum magnesium level in heart failure patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted at Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, in collaboration of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD] Karachi, from April 2003 to December 2003. A sample size of 45 was drawn through convenient sampling, between the age group of 35-65 years. Serum magnesium, glucose levels were estimated, using Kit method, data was analyzed on the SPSS 11 for statistical significance. Out of 45 cases of heart failure, 15 were diabetic with low level of serum magnesium [1.67mg/dl] as compared to 30 non-diabetics with significantly high level of serum magnesium [1.75mg/dl]. This study concluded, in heart failure patient with diabetes mellitus had low serum magnesium level and was at increased risk of complications related to magnesium

Heart failure patients are prone to develop magnesium deficiency as a result of diuretic/digoxin therapy

To evaluate serum magnesium level in chronic heart failure [CIIF] patients receiving diuretic and digoxin therapy. Study Design: A case-control study. The study was conducted at the Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI]. Jinnah ostgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi with collaboration ofNational Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD], Karachi from April to December 2003. Serum magnesium levels were evaluated in 65 subjects including 45 patients of heart failure admitted in the NICVD, Karachi. Twenty subjects were healthy, age and gender matched controls [group l]. Patients were divided into two groups [groups-II and III] according to treatment with diuretics or combination of diuretic and digoxin. Other electrolytes including sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium were also evaluated. Student't' test at ranging p-values of [<0.05. <0.01, <0.001] were used to determine the statistical significance. The cardiac failure patients showed lower [1.72 +/- 0.07 mg/dl] level of serum magnesium when compared with normal [0.53 +/- 0.19 mg/dl] control subjects and even more significantly lowered [1.65 +/- 0.09 mg/dl] in patients who were receiving diuretics and digoxin as compared to patients [1.80 +/- 0.10 mgidl] who were on diuretics only [p<0.001]. Patients with chronic heart failure were characteristically prone to develop magnesium deficiency along with other electrolytes [potassium. calcium, and chloride] due to administration of diuretics and digoxin