BRONCHIAL ASTHMA AND SERUM MAGNESIUM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN STABLE AND EXACERBATING CLINICAL CONDITION.

Dr. Nadeem Shaikh*, Dr. Ruchi Gokani, Bhavita Patel, Brahma Reddy

ABSTRACT

Background: Asthma is one of the most common diseases and one of the major causes of morbidities which demands high cost.With improvement in research and management methods,electrolyte imbalance is found to to be linked with exacerbation of asthma and lead to severe complications and even death.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: 80 Subjects were enrolled, 40 patients diagnosed as bronchial asthma and 40 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: Serum magnesium level should be monitored in the patients of bronchial asthma and hypomagnesemia should be treated along with bronchodilator therapy. Abbreviations: BMI-Body mass index; FEV1-Forced expiratory volume in the 1st second;FVC-Forced vital capacity; LABA-Long Acting B2 Agonist; ICS- Inhaled Corticosteroids;SABA-Short Acting B2 Agonist.

Keywords: Magnesium; Bronchial asthma; Stable; Exacerbation.