title: Hypomagnesemia in a department of internal medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypomagnesemia is frequently encountered in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to determine the underlying causes of hypomagnesemia as well as the clinical and biochemical characteristics, and concomitant electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities in patients with decreased serum magnesium (Mg(2+)) levels in an internal medicine clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively studied adult patients who, either on admission to our clinic or during their hospitalization, were found to have hypomagnesemia (serum Mg(2+) concentration <1.3 mEq/L).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seven patients out of 2284 patients had hypomagnesemia. The incidence of hypomagnesemia was 4.7%. Malnutrition, drugs (mainly diuretics and aminoglycosides), respiratory alkalosis, diabetes mellitus, acute tubular necrosis, alcohol consumption and gastrointestinal losses were the main causes of the hypomagnesemia. In the majority of patients (80%), more than one condition may have contributed to the development of hypomagnesemia. Seventy-one patients (66.3%) exhibited at least one additional electrolyte disorder. Hypophosphatemia was the most frequent electrolyte abnormality (31.1%), followed by hypokalemia (26.1%), hyponatremia (21.5%), and hypocalcemia (22%). Seventy-eight patients (72.9%) exhibited pure or mixed acid-base disorders, mainly respiratory alkalosis (20.6%), metabolic acidosis (15.8%), and mixed metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis (18.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypomagnesemia in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine clinic was of multifactorial origin. A wide array of concurrent acid-base and electrolyte disorders was evident in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Greece. gliamis@cc.uoi.gr
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liamis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liberopoulos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alexandridis
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elisaf
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000639:trends*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D053565:Hypercalciuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009397:Nephrocalcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015499:Renal Tubular Transport, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology