Magnesium deficiency in liver cirrhosis: a retrospective study
Xia Peng, Rengyun Xiang, Xuefeng Li, Hui Tian, Cuiqin Li, Zhi Peng & show all
Received 05 Jan 2021, Accepted 31 Jan 2021, Published online: 01 Mar 2021
Magnesium, known as “the forgotten electrolyte”, is an essential element of life. Magnesium deficiency is implicated in many diseases, including liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of magnesium deficiency in liver cirrhosis and investigate the relationship between magnesium levels and complication of liver cirrhosis and clinical outcomes.
Patients and methods
Cirrhotic patients with serum magnesium levels measured were retrospectively identified from 2016 to 2017. Demographics, laboratory parameters, complications were collected. The Child-Pugh class, MELD score, and ALBI score were calculated.
Results
The mean serum magnesium level of all 152 patients was lower than the normal, including 92 patients diagnosed with magnesium deficiency. Compared to Child-Pugh class A, magnesium levels were significantly lower in the patients with Child-Pugh class B or C (F = 10.26, p < .05). Magnesium levels were also considerably lower in the group with MELD score ≥21, compared to the other two groups with MELD score < 15 or 15–20 (F = 6.59, p < .05). Similarly, magnesium levels were significantly lower in the group with ALBI score > −1.39 (grade 3), compared to the other two groups with ALBI with score ≤ −2.6 (grade 1) or > −2.6, ≤ −1.39 (grade 2) (F = 8.44, p<.001). Furthermore, magnesium levels were lower in cirrhotic patients with infection. Magnesium-deficient patients had lower transplant-free survival rates than non-deficient patients.
Conclusion
Magnesium deficiency is highly prevalent in cirrhotic patients. Magnesium deficiency is related to worse transplant-free survival, infection and the severity of liver cirrhosis.