A Comparative Study of Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients of Stable and Acute Exacerbation of COPD at Institute of Respiratory Diseases, SMS Medical Colege, Jaipur

Background: Exacerbations of COPD are a leading cause of hospitalization and healthcare expenditures. As bronchospasm is a contributing factor in exacerbation COPD and magnesium plays a role in airway smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation, thus hypomagnesemia may be a correctable risk factor for the exacerbation COPD. However, information about the effect of magnesium on COPD exacerbation is insufficient. So the purpose of our study is to investigate the relationship of serum magnesium levels on the incidence of exacerbation. Material and Methods: A hospital based Comparative Analytical study done on 80 patients of COPD attending OPD and hospitalized in Institute of respiratory diseases, SMS medical college, Jaipur during the year 2018-19. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, Study population was selected and divided in two groups:- Group 1- Acute exacerbation of COPD. Group 2-Stable COPD: The reference level of serum magnesium in our laboratory is 1.8-2.6 mg/dl (0.74-1.07 mmol/L). Hypomagnesemia was considered if the level of serum magnesium was below 1.8mg/dl. Result: Hypomagnesemia (less than 1.8 mg/dl) were occurred in 22 (55%) in AECOPD patients and 9 (22.5%) in stable COPD patients. Serum magnesium level was statistical significant in between AECOPD and stable COPD cases. The mean value of S. Mg - in AECOPD group =1.882 and Stable COPD group =2.160, which was statistical significant (P=0.0101*). So serum magnesium level was low in AECOPD patients as compared to stable COPD patients in our study. Conclusion: We concluded that association between serum magnesium and acute exacerbation of COPD to be substantial both in terms of the statistical power of the study and clarity of our findings.