Frequency of Hypomagnesemia in Patients with Hypokalemia Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Deficiencies of electrolytes (hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia) are of clinical importance in hospitalized patients. Hypomagnesemia is often associated with hypokalemia and concomitant hypomagnesemia potentiates hypokalemia and makes it difficult to treat with potassium replacement alone. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of hypomagnesemia in hypokalemic patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Total 75 patients with admission hypokalemia (serum potassium <3.5 mmol/l) were approached for inclusion in the study. Overall frequency of hypomagnesemia (serum Mg2+ level <0.66 mmol/L) were present in 58.7% (n=44) patients. A positive correlation was observed between serum level of potassium and magnesium in our study population. (Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, r=0.801, P <0.001). However, before any final comment further multicenter study is recommended.