RELATIONSHIP OF MAGNESIUM LEVEL WITH GLYCEMIC CONTROL AND LIPID PROFILE IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1 DM) is a disease caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells due to environmental factors in individuals with genetic predisposition. Magnesium (Mg) is one of the environmental factors suggested to be effective in the pathogenesis and progression of T1 DM. While studies link Mg deficiency with poor glycemic control and dyslipidemia, there are also findings suggesting no association. We aimed to assess the serum Mg levels in adults with T1 DM and evaluate its relationship with glycemic control and lipid profile. The study included 95 type 1 diabetic patients, who presented at the Endocrinology outpatient clinic, and 95 age- and gender-matched individuals without chronic disease. The comparison between the study groups was made using Student's t-test for qualitative data analysis and Mann-Whitney U test for quantitative data analysis without normal distribution. The Mg level of the diabetic patients was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.001). In diabetic patients, the Mg level was significantly higher in the group with Hba1c <7% compared to the group with HbA1c >= 7%. The patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal Mg cut-off value (0.8 mmol L-1) determined by ROC analysis. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) values of HbA1c were 8.9% (10) in patients with Mg levels <0.8 mmol L-1; 7.6% (6) in patients with Mg levels >= 0.8 mmol L-1 (p<0.001). Although some studies have shown that Mg deficiency is associated with higher levels of LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol, there was no significant difference in the lipid profile parameters in our study. When the cut-off value of Mg level was taken as 0.8 mmol L-1, we did not find a significant relationship between the Mg level and lipid profile parameters. We conclude that Mg levels were lower in patients with T1 DM, and it was associated with poor glycemic control. However, Mg levels were not associated with dyslipidemia. Maintaining the Mg level above 0.8 mmol L-1 should be a supportive approach for glycemic control; however, more prospective studies are needed on this topic.