[Tetany due to excessive use of alcohol: a possible magnesium deficiency].
Two alcoholic patients, a woman aged 64 and a man aged 69 years, were admitted with tetany. Both had severe electrolyte disorders, with low plasma levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Following mineral supplementation both patients recovered. Hypomagnesaemia plays a central role in the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Chronic alcohol abuse results in hypomagnesaemia in 30% of patients by decreasing renal tubular reabsorption. Hypomagnesaemia leads to suppression of parathyroid-hormone secretion, parathyroid-hormone resistance and vitamin-D suppression, resulting in hypocalcaemia. Hypomagnesaemia also causes kaliuresis leading to hypokalaemia. Supplementation with magnesium is crucial in the treatment of this combined electrolyte disorder.
Smets
Y F
YF
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Algemene Interne Geneeskunde, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden. yfesmets@lumc.nl
Bokani
N
N
de Meijer
P H
PH
Meinders
A E
AE
D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013746:Tetany / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium