Assessment of Serum Magnesium Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Diabetic Foot Ulcers (Grade I and II) at Nawabshah, Pakistan ()
1. Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus is a universal metabolic disorder increasing morbidity and mortality since centuries [1] . It manifests as disturbed metabolism with raised blood sugar due to absolute or relative deficiency or resistance to insulin. There are the identified possible elements for growth of diabetes mellitus [2] . Foot ulcer in diabetes is a prolonged damage of the skin occurs in the feet of diabetes patients. During the life time, foot ulcer might develop 1 in every 4 among diabetes patients [3] . Neuropathic ulcer or Ischemic ulcer might be associated with Diabetic foot ulceration, however, other causal or risk factors, e.g. trauma can also be the ultimate etiological pathways [4] .
Diabetes prevalence in Pakistan was found in 5,200,000 people approximately in the year 2000 and might be reach at 139,000,000 approximately in the year 2030 [5] . Magnesium is a cofactor in the cell membrane transporting mechanism of glucose and different important enzymes involved in carbohydrate oxidation [6] . Phuong-Chi et al. showed that poor glycemic control has been linked with hypomagnesaemia resulting in various complications e.g. neuropathy and diabetic foot ulcers. The frequency of hypomagnesaemia in DM type 2 was 13.5% to 47.7% (P = 0.02) [7] . Diabetic foot ulcer presents as severe problem of DM and as first appearance of diabetes mellitus which was undiagnosed previously [8] . A study revealed that grade 2, 3 and 4 of diabetes complications were cured in 17% out of total studied population with conservative treatment through antibiotics [9] . Magnesium supplementation is valuable in management of complication prevention [10] .
Aim of this study was to analyze the serum Mg (magnesium) level in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with grade I & II diabetic foot ulcers. This study will also help in reduction of complications related to Magnesium deficiency to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
2. Materials and Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from June 2015 to December 2016 at Medical Department, PMCH Nawabshah after approval of Ethics Committee PMCH Hospital. A written consent was obtained from the participants. A total of 110 Type 2 DM patients with foot ulcers (diabetic) according Wagner’s gratifying criterion of >40 years age with grade I and II foot ulcers were selected by purposive sampling technique at Confidence Interval (CI) of 95% and margin of error d −0.05. A written signed consent form was obtained and the questionnaire designed for the demographic or socioeconomic, past clinical and medication history of disease including their lab reports and all relevant data was filled from every participant of this study. Moreover, the venous blood was collected in fasting from Type 2 DM patients and it was analyzed in laboratory for Magnesium concentrations by using Xylidyl Blue method with 3338 Merck test Kit, below <1.5 mEq/l Level.
2.1. Inclusion Criteria
Cut-off values are Magnesium levels: normal 1.5 - 2.5 mEq/L, Hypomagnesaemia < 1.5 mEq/L and Hypermagnesemia > 2.5 mEq/L [11] [12] [13] [14] .
2.2. Exclusion Criteria
Patients with complications of diabetes like diabetic keto-acidosis, lactic-acidosis, hypoglycemia, HONK; gestational DM, CVA, dialysis patients, magnesium drugs supplementation, foot ulcers other than grade I and II were excluded.
2.3. Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Type 2 DM diagnosed through clinical history, examination and investigations and OHA and insulin, medical records and according American Diabetic Association Criteria [15] .
・ FBS values of >126 mg/dL on two separate occasions.
・ Symptomatic patients, RBS of >200 mg/dL suggests diabetes.
Diabetic foot ulcers: Grade-I superficial and Grade-II deep ulcers according to Wagner’s grading [16] .
Wagner’s Classification
2.4. Statistical Analysis
Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Frequency & percentage were computed for categorical variables like gender and hypomagnesaemia. Mean and standard deviation calculated for variables (quantitative) like age. Magnesium significance was seen in age, gender, grade of ulcer, duration of T2 DM, Fasting Blood Sugar and Random Blood Sugar to assess the impact on outcomes.
3. Results
Out of total 110 (100%) subjects of Type 2 DM with foot ulcer patients, no any patient was seem to be missing in this study. 72 (65.5%) males and 38 (34.5%) females. In our findings, 51 (46.4%) subjects found with grade I and 59 (53.6%) with grade II diabetic foot ulcer (P = 0.000). 11 (10%) were young, 73 (66.4%) middle age and 26 (23.6%) were old age groups (P = 0.033). Regarding literacy level, 29 (26.36%) were uneducated, 53 (48.18%) were at primary level, 15 (13.63%) middle level, 2 (1.81%) matriculation level, 5 (4.54%) intermediate level and 6 (5.45%) patients were at graduate level (P = 0.034). 53 (48.18%) presently had no any occupation, 25 (22.72%) female were housewives, 18 (16.36%) manual workers and 14 (12.72%) were office workers (P = 0.000). Marital status showed that 103 (93.63%) patients were married whereas 7 (6.36%) were un-married. Majority, 86 (78.18%) of patients included in this study were from rural community and the remaining 24 (21.82%) belonged to urban community (P = 0.531), Body Mass Index was normal in 66 (60%), overweight 41 (37.3%) and 3 (2.7%) patients were obese (Figure 1).
This study showed that the mean of age was found 55.90 ± 9.522, the median of age was 56.00, minimum age 30 and maximum age was 70 years respectively (P = 0.000). HbA1C was 9.09 ± 1.9 (P value 0.000), serum magnesium 1.43 ± 0.234 (P value 0.022), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) was 126.19 ± 25.40 (P value 0.950) and Random Blood Sugar (RBS) was 278.85 ± 62.03 (P = 0.352) (Table 1).
Regarding duration of T2DM, 27 (24.54%) patients were with <05 years of disease duration, 22 (20%) were with 5 - 10 years of duration and 02 (1.81%) found with >10 years of duration (P = 0.000). Serum magnesium level (S.M.L) was normal in 43 (39.09%) volunteers and in 67 (60.9%) patients were at below from the normal range of S.M.L (P = 0.000). 43 subjects (29 males and 14 females) were reported with normal S.M.L and 67 subjects (males 43 and 24 females) reported with hypomagnesaemia. It was detected that, as foot ulcer grade increases, the frequency of hypomagnesaemia increases, as shown in Figure 1 & Table 2.
The association of hypomagnesaemia with grade 1 diabetic foot ulcer patients with the duration of diabetes < 05 years was reported in 13 (11.81%), 10 (9.09%) patients with hypomagnesaemia found among 05 - 10 years of chronic Diabetic patients and 1 (0.9%) patients with hypomagnesaemia found among >10 years of chronic Diabetic patients (P value 0.000). The relation of duration with hypomagnesaemia in grade II diabetic foot ulcer patients with duration of diabetes < 05 years were 02 (1.81%), 05 (4.54%) patients had duration 05 - 10 years and 36 (32.72%) had duration of diabetes > 10 years (P = 0.000).
Hypomagnesaemia was present in 24 patients with grade-1 and in 43 grade-II diabetic foot ulcer patients, whereas, normal serum magnesium levels observed in 27 subjects having grade-I and in 16 grade-II foot ulcers patients, statistically significance was observed at P-value < 0.000.
Out of 43 patients with diabetic foot ulcer grade I & II, normal magnesium levels were seen in 15 (14 with grade I and 1 with grade II) patients with duration of diabetes < 05 years, 26 (12 with grade I and 14 with grade II) with duration of 05 - 10 years of DM and 02 (1 with grade I and 1 with grade II) with duration of 10 years of DM (P = 0.007).
An association amongst duration of foot ulcer and duration of diabetes was observed in this study, increase in the interval of T2DM also amplify hazard of hypomagnesaemia that was statically significant with P-value < 0.000 and simultaneously as the grade of foot ulcer progresses, the risk of hypomagnesaemia increases. Meanwhile, in grade II diabetic foot ulcer patients, 43 have hypomagnesaemia and 16 have normomagnesemia, statically significant with P-value < 0.13,
![]()
Table 1. Statistical evaluation of different variables in patients.
![]()
![]()
Table 2. Frequency distribution of magnesium level in different grades of foot ulcer and duration of diabetes in patients.
as demonstrated in (Table 2).
Statistical analysis showed a valid relation of magnesium level with T2DM. Correlation was significant in our data related to HbA1C with Pearson Correlation at −0.319** and (Sig.2-tailed) 0.001. Continuity Correction value was at 3.556 and (Sig.2-tailed) 1.059. While, the Fisher’s Exact Test Exact Sig. (2-sided) was 0.036 and Exact Sig. (1-sided) was 0.036. This data was statistically significant (Table 3).
4. Discussion
Hypomagnesaemia is an important issue in T2DM needs research throughout the world. Western countries had paid attention on it. Clinical assessment and investigations are needed in context to assess relationship of blood glucose with insulin levels and counter-regulatory hormones with other important trace elements like copper, zinc, magnesium and other trace elements. Some tests are easily available and some not. In Pakistan, diagnostic tests are not freely available in government hospitals. Limited studies are available in on these setups. This study indicates that in adult’s hypomagnesaemia is more pronounced in T2DM complications like foot ulcers. In this study, hypomagnesaemia is a common finding in the two sub groups of diabetic foot ulcer (grade I and II). Out of 65.5% of males and 36.5% of females, there was decreased ratio of females as compared with males, whereas, social back ground and less education were important factors to influence this (Figure 1).
An incident of hypomagnesaemia from 25% to 39% had been revealed in the subjects with diabetes (Type I & II) [17] [18] [19] [20] . Mean level of HbA1C was 9.0927 in our findings. The mean FBS 126.1909 ± 25.40913 with statistically non-significant (P = 0.950) and RBS 278.8545 ± 62.03592 (P = 0.352) were high in the studied population. In current study, normomagnesemia was found in 43 subjects and hypomagnesaemia was reported in 67 patients, as demonstrated in Table 1 & Table 2. High rate of hypomagnesaemia (51.88%) was observed among diabetic patients, the results are more significant with others hypomagnesaemia in our studied subjects than other researches (25% to 39%) [21] [22] [23] . Hypomagnesaemia was present in 24 patients with grade-1 and in 43 grade-II diabetic foot ulcer patients, whereas, normal serum magnesium levels observed in 27 subjects having grade-I and in 16 grade-II foot ulcers patients, statistically significance was observed at P-value < 0.000.
Unsatisfactory glycemic management is interconnected to Hypomagnesaemia
![]()
![]()
Table 3. Cross tabulation hypomagnesaemia, duration of DM2, duration of foot ulcer and correlation of magnesium, FBS, RBS, HbA1C and BMI.
**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
and urinary magnesium excretion. Glycosylated hemoglobin mean value of HbA1C level was 9.0927 ± 1.90719 (P = 0.000) in our findings. Unsatisfactory management of diabetes could be extra element for hypomagnesaemia in subjects [24] [25] . Insulin augments entry of magnesium within cells, when there is decrease in insulin levels this leads to hypomagnesaemia [26] [27] . Diabetes related complications are common in patients who had hypomagnesaemia [28] . We had found significant hypomagnesaemia in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. As evident of our study that, magnitude of hypomagnesaemia increases with the progression of complications, that serum magnesium was low in grade II diabetic foot ulcers as compared with grade I ulcers (Table 2).
A study suggested link between hypomagnesaemia, hyperglycemia and the complications of diabetes as concluded also in present study [29] .
As duration of diabetes and foot ulcer increases the serum magnesium decreases [30] . Hypomagnesaemia also associated with complications like hypertension, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism [31] . Study by Resnick et al. reported that hypomagnesaemia was found between 13.5% - 47.7% T2DM [32] . Here Hypomagnesaemia was found in 67/110 patients, on contrary non diabetic 2.5% to 15% were with hypomagnesaemia (Figure 1 & Table 2).
Trace elements including magnesium were identified in different disease mechanisms. Cristiane H.S. et al. discussed role of magnesium in relation to diabetes that decreased intake of magnesium in diet, which may lead to diabetes mellitus and it was focused internationally. HbA1C was 8.0% with poor glycemic control [33] . In our hospital setups, there is less data of dietary magnesium is available in Pakistani community so face great challenge of future for magnesium and diabetes mellitus managment. The glycemic control and the complications are also great challenges of hypomagnesaemia due to diabetes. In a study by Rodriguez-Moran
![]()
Figure 1. Demographical frequency distribution of the subjects.
et al. determined high incidence of hypomagnesaemia in 93.9% patients with diabetic foot ulcers as compared to 73.1% non-diabetic (P = 0.02) [34] . Findings of study are matchable with the present study that 60.9% population was reported with hypomagnesaemia (Table 2).
Diabetes disturbs serum magnesium level leading to development of complications concluded from Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities. Negative impact of hypomagnesaemia on vascular complications of diabetes is not yet clear. Hypomagnesaemia is not only common in foot ulcers but it can occur simultaneously also in other diabetic complications. Poly-neuropathy and dysfunction of platelets were identified risk factor in diabetic foot ulcers. T2DM is connected to complications other than foot ulcers. Studies had shown relationship of diabetic nephropathy and in non-diabetic nephropathy hypomagnesaemia is associated with worsening in kidney function in T2DM. Facts suggest connection among hypomagnesaemia and diabetic foot ulcers along with dyslipidemia and neurological irregularities as diabetic complications [35] [36] [37] .
Serum magnesium is not true representative of intracellular contents because of very small quantities [38] .
Our findings revealed the relation of magnesium level withT2 DM. Correlation was significant in our data related to HbA1C with Pearson Correlation at −0.319** and (Sig.2-tailed) 0.001. Continuity Correction value was at 3.556 and (Sig.2-tailed) 1.059. While, the Fisher’s Exact Test Exact Sig. (2-sided) was 0.036 and Exact Sig. (1-sided) was 0.036 (Table 3).
In our findings, high ratio of male population was magnesium deficient, because male mostly do the strenuous work which is more prone for injuries and complications. In era of technological advances and increasing approach it is necessary to explore aspects of disease and the factors affecting it. This study identified risk of foot ulcer due to hypomagnesaemia in T2DM. Since there is lack of information on this basic approach to the trace elements analysis, it is imperative that possible approach should be available for management of disease. Since PMCH is teaching hospital, it would give a positive support for proper management to avoid high morbidity and mortality.
5. Conclusion
Hypomagnesaemia observed as main finding in present study in patients suffering from Type 2 DM with foot ulcers (grade I and II) which was found in 67 (60.9%) out of total studied subjects. It was concluded that as duration of Diabetes along with duration of diabetic foot ulcer (Grade I and II) increases, the level of serum magnesium decreases. As the duration of Diabetes Mellitus increases, the severity of complications might also increase.
Recommendations
Serum magnesium analysis should be managed routinely in DM complications to control the severity of complications due to hypomagnesaemia. It is recommended that intermittent checking for proper assessment and treatment related to magnesium deficiency should be started immediately at earlier stages. Furthermore, it is suggested for large scale evaluation to find detailed data about the concerns of this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Limitations
Few studies available at national level evolved uncertainty regarding magnesium status in region on contrary disease prevalence are more common. Abundance of studies has been done internationally. Cost effectiveness is main problem in most of the government hospital laboratories because of limited facilities are available.