Suboptimal glycemic control remains a persistent challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and electrolyte abnormalities may influence disease burden. A hospital-based observational study published in the APIK Journal of Internal Medicine evaluated the association between hypomagnesemia and glycemic status, along with diabetes-related complications, in clinically stable adults with T2DM.

The analysis included 160 adult patients with T2DM who met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical evaluation involved detailed history taking, physical examination, and laboratory testing, including measurement of serum magnesium (Mg) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Hypomagnesemia was defined as Mg levels below 1.7 mg/dL. Statistical analyses included t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Pearson correlation, with significance set at P <0.05.

Hypomagnesemia was observed in 21.25% of patients. Individuals with low Mg levels had higher HbA1c compared with those with normal Mg (11.51 ± 2.25 vs 7.99 ± 1.9; P <0.0001) and lower rates of adequate glycemic control (2.94% vs 36.51%; P <0.0001). Complications were more frequent in the hypomagnesemia group, including nephropathy (26.47% vs 10.32%; P=0.015), retinopathy (47.06% vs 17.46%; P=0.0003), neuropathy (47.06% vs 19.05%; P=0.001), and diabetic foot (17.65% vs 0%; P <0.0001). Serum Mg showed an inverse correlation with HbA1c (r=–0.4).

These findings indicate that lower Mg levels are associated with poorer glycemic control and higher complication prevalence in this population.