Assessment of serum magnesium level in patients with bronchial asthma

Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and has been increasing in prevalence over the last few decades. Magnesium ion has an inhibitory action on smooth muscle contraction, histamine release from mast cells and acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve terminals. Magnesium has been shown to relax bronchial smooth muscles and influence the function of respiratory muscles. Hypomagnesemia have been associated with diminished respiratory muscle power. Aim: To assess the serum Mg levels in bronchial asthma patients during stable and exacerbating clinical conditions. Subjects and methods: 60 Subjects were enrolled, 40 patients diagnosed as bronchial asthma and 20 healthy individuals as a control group. The asthmatic patients were divided into group (I) chronic stable bronchial asthma and group (II) acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. Results: Serum Mg levels were significantly lower in asthmatic patients compared with healthy controls and significantly lower in asthmatic patients during exacerbation compared with stable asthmatics. There was a positive correlation between serum Mg levels and each of FEV1/FVC ratio and FEV1. Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia was found in patients with chronic stable asthma and also in those with acute asthma exacerbation compared to control. Serum mg levels were significantly lower in asthmatic patients during exacerbations compared with stable asthmatics