Association Between Serum Magnesium and Muscle Mass in People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Muscle function and strength are related to magnesium (Mg). The risk of low muscle mass in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is higher compared to healthy individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum Mg and low muscle mass in people with T2DM.

This study included 1074 inpatients with T2DM with measured skeletal muscle index (SMI) and serum Mg concentrations, along with collected clinical characteristics. SMI was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis were employed to examine the associations between serum Mg concentrations and low muscle mass or SMI, respectively.

The prevalence of low muscle mass was 20.28% in males and 14.20% in females. Serum Mg concentration was significantly higher in the low muscle mass group compared to the normal muscle mass group. Furthermore, among female patients with T2DM, a negative correlation was observed between Mg levels and SMI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high Mg levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of low muscle mass. Specifically, in females, higher serum Mg levels significantly increased the risk of low muscle mass. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) across increasing tertiles (T1 to T3) of serum Mg were 1.00 (reference), 1.321 (95% CI, 0.626-2.790), and 2.071 (95% CI, 1.011-4.243), respectively, with a significant trend (p for trend = 0.039).

Low muscle mass in T2DM patients is associated with serum Mg levels. Notably, among female patients, higher serum Mg concentrations showed a significant linear trend and were negatively correlated with low muscle mass.