Posttransplantation Hypomagnesemia as a Predictor of Better Graft Function after Transplantation

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Hypomagnesemia is frequently seen after transplantation and is particularly associated with the use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis (2000–2013, <i>N</i> = 726) to explore the relationship between hypomagnesemia and long-term allograft outcome in kidney transplant recipients. For this study, a median serum magnesium (Mg) level of all measured Mg levels from 1 month to 1 year after renal transplantation was calculated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> For every increase in Mg by 0.1 mg/dL, the GFR decreased by 1.1 mL/min at 3 years posttransplant (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01) and by 1.5 mL/min at 5 years posttransplant. A median blood Mg level of ≥1.7 was found to be an independent predictor of a GFR &#x3c;60 mL/min at 3 years posttransplant. The odds of having a GFR &#x3c;60 mL/min 3 years posttransplant was almost 2-fold higher in the high Mg group than in the low Mg group. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Hypomagnesemia from 1 to 12 months after renal transplantation is associated with a better allograft function up to 5 years posttransplant. This relationship was found to hold true after accounting for baseline allograft function and the presence of slow graft function.