SERUM MAGNESIUM AND SEVERITY OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years. Magnesium deficiency is a possible metabolic factor involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic micro - and macro - vascular complications. Aim: To assess magnesium level in relation to the stages of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: The study enrolled 136 diabetic patients consulting Ophthalmology Outpatient Department. The ophthalmologist assigned the patients into 5 categories; background, preproliferative, proliferative, advanced and maculopathy. Serum magnesium, random blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were determined. Results: Among the 136 patients with diabetes mellitus, 94 patients had diabetic retinopathy and 42 had no retinopathy. There is a significant statistical differences (P-value