A Comparative Study of Serum Magnesium among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with and without Diabetic Retinopathy

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) characterized by metabolic disorders related to high levels of serum glucose is one of the most common diseases associated with magnesium (Mg) depletion in intra and extra cellular compartments. Hypomagnesemia has been related as a cause to insulin resistance also being a consequence of hyperglycemia. When it is chronic, it leads to the development of macro and microvascular complications of diabetes. Objective: To compare the serum magnesium status among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. Methods: This analytical study was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). A total of 76 Type 2 diabetic patients were divided into two groups -with and without diabetic retinopathy. Patients were selected through purposive sampling method after considering the inclusion criteria. After taking informed written consent, comprehensive ocular examination, samples for serum Magnesium and HbA1c were collected. Serum Magnesium was estimated by enzymatic method. Results: The age of the respondents was in between 40 to 60 year and the mean age was 49.16± 7.17 year. Majority respondent (58%) was female, 47.4% had DM for >15 year, 81.6% had normal level of Mg and rest 18.4% had hypomagnesemia. Majority respondents (84.2%) belonged to ≥6.5 HbA1c level group, 51.3% respondents had RBS level ≥11.1 mmol/l and 71.1% respondents belonged to overweight/Obese group. Statistically significant relationship was found between age of the respondent and DR (p=0.043), duration of DM and DR (p=0.005), Mg level and DR (p=≤0.001) and BMI and DR (p=0.043). The difference of Mg value between two groups (Diabetic retinopathy and nondiabetic retinopathy) was statistically significant (p=0.002). Statistically significant relationship was found between age of the respondent and Serum Mg Level (p=≤0.001), duration of DM and Serum Mg level (p=0.012) and between BMI and Serum Mg level (p=0.043).