title: Are low magnesium levels in type 1 diabetes associated with electromyographical signs of polyneuropathy?
abstract: Our aim was to study the relationship between the magnesium status in type 1 diabetic patients and disturbances in nerve conduction velocity. Furthermore we wanted to investigate whether repletion of magnesium depletion could improve the decreased nerve conduction velocity measurements. In a cross-sectional study, 154 type 1 diabetic patients were screened for their erythrocyte magnesium content and an electrophysiological measurement of the peripheral nervous system was carried out. In a subsequent intervention study, out of this screened population, 23 type 1 patients, with disturbed nerve conduction velocity measurements and low erythrocyte magnesium levels [< 2.3 mmol/L) were given oral magnesium supplements, during 1 year. Twenty type 1 patients with identical characteristics served as controls. In the cross-sectional study disturbed nerve conduction velocities were found in the older patients, in patients with a longer duration of diabetes and a worse metabolic control. EMG polyneuropathy signs were significantly more frequent in diabetic patients with low erythrocyte Mg. The intervention study demonstrated that under unchanged metabolic control, supplementation with magnesium could improve nerve conduction, especially in younger patients with a shorter duration of diabetes. Erythrocyte Mg was lower in type 1 diabetic patients with polyneuropathy. Mg supplementation increasing Mg RBC might (possibly?) improve nerve conduction measured by electromyography at least in younger patients with a short duration of diabetes and presenting early signs of the neurological complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology Diabetology, University of Antwerp, UA, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Engelen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouten
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Leeuw
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Block
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium