Hypomagnesemia associated with chondrocalcinosis: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine an association between magnesium (Mg) depletion and chondrocalcinosis, which has been reported but not investigated in a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Prevalence of chondrocalcinosis was investigated in 144 individuals: 72 patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) compared with 72 age- and sex-matched controls. Presence of chondrocalcinosis was assessed by knee radiographs. Blood serum and globular Mg levels and 24-hour urinary Mg content were compared.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD age for both patients and controls was 51 +/- 17 years, and 51% in both groups were women. Mean duration of HPN was 6.4 years. Prevalence of chondrocalcinosis was markedly higher in patients receiving HPN than controls (16.6% versus 2.7%; P = 0.006, odds ratio [OR] 7.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.45-66.1). Mean +/- SD serum and globular Mg levels were significantly lower in patients than controls (serum: 0.75 +/- 0.09 mmoles/liter versus 0.81 +/- 0.08 mmoles/liter, P = 0.0006; globular Mg: 1.8 +/- 0.31 mmoles/liter versus 2.0 +/- 0.35 mmoles/liter, P = 0.0003). Twenty-four-hour urinary Mg level was lower in patients than controls (mean +/- SD 3.85 +/- 1.50 mmoles versus 5.37 +/- 3.71 mmoles; P = 0.001). Prevalence of chondrocalcinosis was significantly higher in patients with a low serum Mg level (OR 13.5, 95% CI 2.76-127.3, P < 0.0001), with a similarly high but not significant occurrence of chondrocalcinosis in patients with a low globular Mg level (OR 4.09, 95% CI 0.603-20.26, P = 0.08) and in patients with a low 24-hour urinary Mg level (OR 3.9, 95% CI 0.77-16.34, P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Long-lasting Mg depletion is strongly associated with chondrocalcinosis.
Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France. pascal.richette@lrb.aphp.fr
Pascal
P
Richette
Ghazi
G
Ayoub
Sophie
S
Lahalle
Eric
E
Vicaut
Abdul-Monem
AM
Badran
Francisca
F
Joly
Bernard
B
Messing
Thomas
T
Bardin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D008274:Magnesium