Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Is serum magnesium level a risk factor for its acute exacerbation?

Determination of modifiable risk factors for treatment and prevention of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is very crucial. Therefore, the present study determined the role of serum magnesium level in acute COPD exacerbation.

This prospective study involved 100 patients with an exacerbation of COPD. Demographic data were collected for all the patients, and serum magnesium (Mg²⁺) levels were determined at two different time intervals. These patients were given standard treatment for COPD. All the patients were followed up after one month and later at three-month intervals for one year.

Majority (72%) of the patients had serum Mg²⁺<1.7 mg/dL and the odds of hypomagnesemia was 6.54 times more during exacerbations than when they had stable COPD during follow-up. Patients with serum Mg²⁺<1.7 mg/dL had 9.34 times higher risk of an increased number of acute exacerbations. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the mean serum Mg²⁺ levels and number of COPD exacerbations among patients with hypomagnesemia at different stages of COPD.

Low serum magnesium level during acute exacerbation is correlated with the increased frequency of acute exacerbation in COPD.