Serum magnesium level is not associated with inflammation in patients with knee osteoarthritis

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum magnesium (Mg) with the radiological severity and inflammation in the patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

A total of 75 patients (61 females, 14 males; mean age 67.5±9.9 years; range 44 to 92 years) with the Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 1-4 knee OA were included in the study. Serum Mg levels (mg/dL) and inflammatory markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/h) and C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dL) were recorded. Serum Mg levels of the patients with mild OA (Grade 1-2) and severe OA (Grade 3-4) were compared. The correlation between Mg and both inflammatory markers was analyzed.

Severe OA group had significantly lower Mg levels than the mild OA group (p=0.044). Serum Mg level was not found to be correlated with either inflammatory biomarkers.

Although serum Mg is associated with the radiological severity of knee OA, it is not associated with inflammatory biomarkers including ESR and CRP.