STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SEVERITY OF ACUTE ASTHMA

AIMS: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hypomagnesemia among patients presenting with acute exacerbation of asthma and during its standard treatment and to know its clinical significance. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a prospective study done on inpatients admitted with acute exacerbation of asthma. METHODS: A total of 50 patients admitted with acute asthma were enrolled in the study with random selection. Treatment started according to GINA (Global Initiation of Asthma) protocol. Serum Magnesium levels were measured at intervals of 0 min, 90 minutes and 180 minutes and 24hrs after starting nebulization. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Excel and SPSS 10.5 (SPSS Inc, Chicago) software packages were used for data entry and analysis. The student 'T' test was used to differentiate gender parameters Proportions were compared using Chi-square test. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the difference between groups. RESULTS: Hypomagnesemia at the time of admission (0 min) was found in 15(30%) subjects and it increased to 22(44%), 16(32%) and dropped to 7(14%) at 90min, 180min and 24 hours respectively after starting treatment. Maximum drop in magnesium level was noted at 90min (by 0.162 mg/dl). Severity of asthma was statistically and clinically significant with hypomagnesemia (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: As Hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with severe asthma attack, an effort should be made to check and correct serum magnesium level during admission and at least after 2 hours of nebulization.