Low serum phosphate and magnesium levels are associated with peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS

To determine the relationship of serum phosphate, serum magnesium and peripheral nerve function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A total of 254 patients diagnosed with T2DM were included. Peripheral nerve function was evaluated by nerve conduction study with the use of electromyography. Composite z scores of conduction velocity, latency, and amplitude were constructed, respectively. Demographic, medical and laboratory data including serum phosphate and magnesium were collected.

RESULTS

Serum phosphate and serum magnesium levels were significantly lower in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (P < 0.01). And the percentages of DPN patients were lower in high tertile of serum phosphate and serum magnesium (P < 0.05). Furthermore, composite z score of conduction velocity (CV) (P = 0.012) were positively associated with serum phosphate levels and the composite z score of amplitude (P < 0.001) and CV (P = 0.041) were positively associated with serum magnesium levels. After adjusting potential related factors (age, gender, smoking, diabetes duration, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate), serum levels of phosphate and magnesium were still related to status of DPN in logistic regression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Lower serum phosphate and magnesium significantly correlated with parameters of nerve conduction in T2DM patients. Serum phosphate and magnesium might underlie the pathophysiologic features of DPN.