Association Between Serum Magnesium and Hematological Indices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Magnesium is involved in immune-inflammatory processes, and hypomagnesemia is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Blood cells (BCs) and BCs-derived indices are popular subjects. However, the relationship between magnesium and BCs-derived indices has not been investigated in diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare hypomagnesemic and normomagnesemic patients with T2DM in terms of BCs and BCs-derived indices, and to investigate the correlation of magnesium with these parameters.
METHODS: The study included 204 patients with T2DM, 62 hypomagnesemic (<1.8 mg/dL) and 142 normomagnesemic (1.8-2.6 mg/dL). Hypomagnesemic and normomagnesemic cases with T2DM were compared in terms of BCs and BCs-derived indices including NLR (Neutrophil/Lymphocyte), MLR (Monocyte/Lymphocyte), PLR (Platelet/Lymphocyte), Systemic immune-inflammatory index, Systemic inflammatory response index, and Aggregate index of systemic inflammation. Also, correlation analysis was performed between serum magnesium and BCs and indices.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics (p>0.05). The two groups were statistically similar with respect to BCs (p>0.05), except erythocytes. Hypomagnesemia group had significantly lower erythrocyte count than normomagnesemia group (p=0.042). The groups were not different statistically in terms of BCs-derived indices (p>0.05). No significant correlation was found between serum magnesium and BCs and BCs-derived indices (p>0.05), except NLR. There was significant negative correlation between serum magnesium and NLR (r: -0.152; p=0.030).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: No overall relationship was found between serum magnesium and BCs-derived indices. The lower erythrocyte count in hypomagnesemics and the negative correlation of magnesium with NLR may be related to hypomagnesemia in T2DM.