Serum Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and COVID-19 Infection Requiring Hospitalization—Correlations with Various Parameters

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ionic calcium, total calcium and serum magnesium upon hospital admission, taking into account the association of type 2 diabetes as a metabolic comorbidity. Our study included 57 patients: a group of 28 patients without diabetes, but with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, and a second group of 29 patients with type 2 diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The serum level of calcium and magnesium of the patients included in the study did not differ statistically significantly in those with type 2 diabetes compared to those without type 2 diabetes who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time of hospitalization. Ionic calcium, total calcium, and serum magnesium did not statistically significantly influence the survival of the patients with COVID-19 infection included in this research, but the type of infection severity (mild or moderate) did influence the survival rate. Concerning the diabetic patients, a statistically significant correlation was found between serum total calcium and total serum proteins, and another one between ionic calcium and uric acid, urea, and total cholesterol. Serum total calcium and D-dimers were statistically significantly correlated with being transferred to the intensive care unit. On the other hand, magnesium significantly correlated with lipids (triglycerides, total lipids) and inflammatory (fibrinogen, ESR) biomarkers.