Publication:

Correlation of serum magnesium levels with renal parameters in patients with acute kidney injury

Background Acute kidney injury is a common problem with various causes and consequences like electrolyte disturbances in the form of hypocalcaemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia depending on the phase. Hypomagnesaemia is one of the most common electrolyte disturbance found in hospitalized patients especially in the critically ill patients. Prevalence of hypomagnesemia varies from 11 to 65% in different studies. Hence, we decided to conduct a study to evaluate correlation of serum magnesium levels in AKI.

Methods A cross-sectional, hospital based time bound study was conducted between November 2016 and August 2018 with a sample of 100 patients aged 18-65 years and who had AKI were included and patients with diabetes mellitus, multi-organ dysfunction, obstructive uropathy and drug induced AKI were excluded from study. The decrease in magnesium <1.7 mg/L was defined as hypomagnesaemia. AKI was defined as per AKIN criteria. Day 1, day 3 and day 6 magnesium levels were measured.

Results Prevalence of hypomagnesaemia was 53%, 30% and 36% on day 1, day 3 and day 6 respectively. It was observed that there was a positive correlation between serum magnesium, and serum creatinine. Normomagnsemia and hypermagnesemia on day 1, 3 and 6 were significantly associated with recovery of AKI (p<0.001).

Conclusions The prevalence of hypomagnesemia was significantly higher in AKI patients and normal magnesium and hypermagnesium on day 1, 3 and day 6 was associated with recovery than non-recovery. Hypomagnesemia was associated more with non-recovery then recovery.