Observational study of hypomagnesemia and its association with severity of chronic stable asthma at Tertiary Care Hospital, Mysuru

ABSTRACT

Background

Magnesium has several actions on bronchial airways including relaxation of airway smooth muscle,

bronchodilation, anticholinergic effects, and stabilization of mast cells. The present study aimed to

measure the level of serum magnesium and assess the relationship of hypomagnesaemia with severity of

asthma.

Material and Method

Present prospective observational study included the patients with chronic stable asthma, attending OPD

at K.R. Hospital, Mysore, attached to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute during the period of

April 2015 to September 2016. All the subjects were evaluated for detailed history, clinical examination,

complete blood count, and pulmonary function test and serum magnesium. The study subjects were

grouped; Group I - include 60 cases with chronic stable bronchial asthma and group II - includes 20

controls, who belong to normal population.

Result

60 Asthmatic cases, selected for the study, 45% were males, 55% were females with mean age of 37.25 ±

11.16 years. Mean serum magnesium levels among patients with chronic stable asthma was

2.03±0.66mEq/L. Hypomagnesemia was seen in 47.06% of severe chronic stable asthma when compared

to 9.09% of cases with moderate chronic stable asthma & 4.78% of cases with mild chronic stable

asthma.(p<0.05) Severe chronic stable asthma cases had low mean serum magnesium, compared to mild

and moderate chronic stable asthma cases.

Conclusion

Hypomagnesemia need to be corrected in patients with chronic stable asthma, who have more severe

chronic stable asthma for a longer duration. Severity of acute exacerbations can be reduced by

magnesium administration in addition to routine management of acute exacerbation of chronic stable

asthma.