Low serum magnesium levels and foot ulcers in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background. Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for the pro gression of ulcers of the feet. Thus, the aim of this study was to determin e the relationship between low serum magnesium and foot ulcer in subjects w ith type 2 diabetes. Methods. Thirty-three out-patients with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers (16 women and 17 men) were compared with a control group of 66 out-patients wi th type 2 diabetes without foot ulcers (35 women and 31 men), matched by ag e, diabetes duration, HbA(1c), and glycemia. Patients with foot ulcers were included in the study only if a foot ulceration onset not exceeding 2 mont hs was established. Patients diagnosed with reduced renal function, a histo ry of alcohol intake, or as having received magnesium supplementation or di uretics were not included. Serum magnesium was measured by colorimetric met hod. The relationship between serum magnesium and foot ulcers was assessed by logistic regression. Results. Hypomagnesemia was identified in 31 (93.9%) subjects with foot ulc ers, and 49 (73.1%) control subjects, p = 0.02. Subjects with foot ulcerati on had lower serum magnesium levels (1.48 +/- 0.33) than those in the contr ol group (1.68 +/- 0.32), p <0.001. Logistic regression analysis showed a s ignificant relationship between low serum magnesium levels and foot ulcers (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, CI 95% 1.7-6.8: p = 0.01). Conclusions. Serum magnesium depletion is present and shows a strong relati onship with foot ulcers in subjects with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers, a relationship not previously reported. (C) 2001 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.