Serum phosphorus and magnesium levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract EN

Background : metabolic syndrome is denned as the co-occurrence of at least three of the following features : hyperglycemia, hypertension, central obesity and dyslipidemia.

It is considered an atherogenic cardiovascular risk factor that has recently become a public health problem.

Disturbances in phosphate and / or magnesium metabolism may have potential pathophysiological implication in the pathogenesis of this cluster of cardiovascular risk factors.

We performed a cross- sectional study to examine the relationship between serum phosphorus and magnesium levels in Kuwaiti patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods : Two hundred Kuwaiti individuals were enrolled (109 subjects diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome and 91 as control group).

Their mean age was 48.6 ± 9.9 years.

Males and females, smokers and non-smokers were included in our study the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines which includes central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Results : patients with metabolic syndrome showed significantly lower phosphate and magnesium levels compared with controls .In addition to non-significant difference in the rate of urinary excretion of phosphorus and magnesium between diabetics and control groups.

We assume that hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesaemia patients with metabolic syndrome could be attributed to decrease directly intake, as well as internal redistribution of this element.

Conclusion : Kuwaiti Patients with metabolic syndrome show significantly lower phosphate and magnesium levels compared with healthy individuals.

These electrolyte disturbances could be considered as one of the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

In addition, this electrolyte imbalance may have a role in prevention and / or treatment of the metabolic syndrome.

Further studies are needed to support this finding.