title: Serum hypomagnesaemia in an elderly day-hospital population.
abstract: Serum magnesium concentration was measured in 223 elderly patients attending a day-hospital. Patients with medical conditions or receiving medication (other than digoxin/diuretics) which could affect magnesium levels were strictly excluded from the study. All patients were living in the community and were medically stable. Ninety-five patients were on no therapy whilst 107 were on diuretic therapy. In spite of strict exclusion criteria, 10.3% of patients on no therapy had serum magnesium levels below normal. There were 61 patients receiving a combination of frusemide and amiloride and 11.9% of these patients had below normal levels of serum magnesium. We conclude that there is a significant prevalence of unexpected hypomagnesaemia among Dublin inner city day hospital elderly patients. Significant serum hypomagnesaemia may still occur in patients on potassium/magnesium sparing diuretics.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brazil
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Riordan
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coakley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium