Circulating total and ionized magnesium after ethanol ingestion

Area of Science:

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Hypomagnesemia, a condition of low magnesium, is a known complication associated with alcoholism.
• Assessing magnesium levels in patients with ethanol intoxication is crucial for understanding its clinical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate serum total magnesium (tMg) and ionized magnesium (iMg) levels in emergency care patients with confirmed ethanol ingestion.
• To compare these levels with a control group of hospitalized patients.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 88 patients with ethanol concentrations (6-128 mmol/L) and 97 control patients.
• Ionized magnesium (iMg) was measured using an ion-selective electrode method.
• Total magnesium (tMg) was measured spectrophotometrically.

Main Results:

• Ionized magnesium (iMg) was significantly lower in patients with ethanol ingestion (0.35 +/- 0.12 mmol/L) compared to controls (0.46 +/- 0.15 mmol/L, P <0.0001).
• Total magnesium (tMg) levels did not significantly differ between the ethanol-positive group (0.87 +/- 0.20 mmol/L) and controls (0.88 +/- 0.33 mmol/L, P = 0.5987).
• Serum tMg did not correlate well with iMg in ethanol-positive patients; 87% had low iMg (<0.53 mmol/L).

Conclusions:

• Ethanol ingestion is strongly associated with low serum ionized magnesium (iMg).
• Serum iMg measurement is a more sensitive indicator of magnesium depletion in patients with alcohol intoxication than tMg.
• Abnormal iMg levels are common in patients presenting with ethanol ingestion.