Serum magnesium levels in chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition of life-threatening nature presenting with deterioration in kidney function which is both irreversible and progressive. It is characterized by progressive incapability of the kidneys to filter the excretory products of blood consequently necessitating dialysis to prevent azotemia, end-organ damage, and ultimately death. The role of the kidneys in the homeostasis of magnesium and conservation of this neglection ion’s concentration in blood is undeniable. The objective of the present study was to estimate serum magnesium in CKD subjects and healthy control groups. Material and Methods: Serum creatinine, eGFR, Serum magnesium was assesed in 37 CKD patients and 43 healthy controls. Results: The serum creatinine levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in cases (2.4 ± 0.88 [mg/dL]) when compared to healthy controls (0.85 ± 0.1 [mg/dL]) [Table 1]. The estimated GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula and was 31.2 ± 12.1 mL/min in cases and 85.67 ± 13.1 mL/min in controls and they were significantly different (P < 0.001). Serum magnesium was 2.02 ± 0.36 mg/dL in cases and 2.01 ± 0.17 mg/dL in controls. Conclusion: The overall distribution showed a trend of hypomagnesemia in CKD patients but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.877). In our study, though statistically trivial, we found a trend toward hypomagnesemia in CKD patients when compared to controls. The lack of significance could be because the CKD patients were not grouped according to stages. A larger study with proper categorization and exclusion can provide us with better insights into magnesium dynamics in CKD patients.