SERUM MAGNESIUM AND SEVERITY OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74years. Magnesium deficiency is a possible metabolic factor involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic micro - and macro- vascular complications.Aim: To assess magnesium level in relation to the stages of diabetic retinopathy.Methods: The study enrolled 136 diabetic patients consulting Ophthalmology Outpatient Department. Theophthalmologist assigned the patients into 5 categories; background, preproliferative, proliferative, advanced andmaculopathy. Serum magnesium, random blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were determined.Results: Among the 136 patients with diabetes mellitus, 94 patients had diabetic retinopathy and 42 had noretinopathy. There is a significant statistical differences (P-value <0.05) between diabetic retinopathy and controlgroups in serum magnesium, random blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and duration of diabetes. It had been foundthat serum magnesium remained statistically significant among the groups of patients with different stages ofretinopathy. Patients with maculopathy had the lowest value for the serum magnesium level (1.35 mg/dl)Conclusions: Serum magnesium level decreased in patients with diabetic retinopathy with lowest level beingobserved in patients with advanced retinopathy and maculopathy.