Association of Serum Magnesium Level with Frequency of Acute Exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third cause of death worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the association of serum magnesium (Mg) level in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Department of Medicine, India, for 1 year. Patients of either sex, aged >40 years, with AECOPD were included. Hemogram, biochemical test, and serum Mg levels were collected. Follow-up was taken every 3 months for a year, and the number of exacerbations/years was recorded. Results: A total of 90 patients were divided into two groups (AECOPD ≤2 and AECOPD ≥3) with mean age of 54.1 years. The majority of patients were men (86.7%). Most of the patients (53.3%) had AECOPD ≥3, while 46.7% of patients had AECOPD ≤2. Serum Mg was significantly higher in AECOPD ≤2 group than AECOPD ≥3 group (2.2 mg/dL vs. 1.7 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly higher in AECOPD ≤2 group than AECOPD ≥3 group (64.2 L vs. 57.8 L; P = 0.003). Mean forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV 1 ) was significantly higher in AECOPD ≤2 group than AECOPD ≥3 group (55.3 L vs. 45.1 L; P < 0.001). Pearson’s correlation showed that serum Mg was negatively correlated with exacerbations ( r = −0.6) and positively correlated with FEV 1 ( r = 0.2) and FVC ( r = 0.24). Linear regression analysis predicted that age, body mass index, FEV 1 , FVC, and serum Mg ( P < 0.001, each) were inversely linked to exacerbations. Conclusion: Lower serum Mg level was associated with frequent exacerbation and worsened pulmonary function in COPD patients.