Serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes

Background: Several studies undertaken in different parts of the world have shown that hypomagnesemia occur at an increased frequency among patients with type 2 diabetes compared with their counterparts without diabetes. As current data suggest adverse outcomes in association with hypomagnesemia, it is prudent to monitor magnesium routinely in this patient population and treat the condition whenever possible. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes in this part of our country.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 subjects, 50 diabetics without complications (group I), 50 diabetics with complications (group II) and 100 normal healthy controls (group III). Blood sugar levels, magnesium, HbA1C (%), cholesterol and triglyceride level were measured.Results: Serum magnesium levels were found low in study group as compared to control group. A significant correlation between HbA1C and magnesium levels was seen. The patients with diabetic complications have significantly higher values of serum cholesterol and triglycerides.Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia in type 2 diabetes was associated with poor glycemic control and with increased frequency of long term complications

Health-care professional’s attitude, beliefs and perceived potential barriers for recommended adult immunization practices in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Immunization coverage remains very low among adults. Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) may have an unpredictable course in diabetes mellitus (DM) owing to their altered immune functions. The objective of the study was to analyse the knowledge, attitude, practices and behaviour of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the pneumococcal, influenza and hepatitis B vaccination in patients of type-2 DM.Methods: This was a community based, cross-sectional study focusing on HCPs who were involved in diabetic care and were aware about recommended guidelines of adult immunization program. 100 HCPs completed this survey which embraced various parameters involved in vaccine uptake.Results: Females constituted 34% of the participating HCPs. The HCPs with qualification of MBBS and MD were 51% and 49% respectively. MD HCPs were routinely vaccinating DM patient more than MBBS ones which was statistically significant. Difficulty in identifying patients eligible for vaccination was perceived by 53% of HCPs. Vaccination was believed to be more important in children than adults by 63% HCPs and 93% agreed that vaccination provided protection against VPDs. Perceived as barriers for vaccination were: urgent concerns of the patients (79%), lack of time for explaining (49%), vaccine safety (60%), cost of vaccine (58%), lack of records (65%), lack of recall system (62%), lack of educational material for patients (83%), lack of training for HCPs (75%) and lack of ‘standing orders’ (84%).Conclusions: Despite recommendations for adult immunization, there are many substantial lacunae in knowledge and practice among HCPs resulting in low immunization coverage. A structured approach encompassing education and training, identification and elimination of potential barriers and improving infrastructure and leadership is the need to curb the mortality and morbidity associated with VPDs in diabetics

Serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes

Background: Several studies undertaken in different parts of the world have shown that hypomagnesemia occur at an increased frequency among patients with type 2 diabetes compared with their counterparts without diabetes. As current data suggest adverse outcomes in association with hypomagnesemia, it is prudent to monitor magnesium routinely in this patient population and treat the condition whenever possible. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes in this part of our country.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 subjects, 50 diabetics without complications (group I), 50 diabetics with complications (group II) and 100 normal healthy controls (group III). Blood sugar levels, magnesium, HbA1C (%), cholesterol and triglyceride level were measured.Results: Serum magnesium levels were found low in study group as compared to control group. A significant correlation between HbA1C and magnesium levels was seen. The patients with diabetic complications have significantly higher values of serum cholesterol and triglycerides.Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia in type 2 diabetes was associated with poor glycemic control and with increased frequency of long term complications