FREQUENCY OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH STROKE, TYPE OF STROKE AND SEVERITY AT JPMC, KARACHI

Abstract

Background: Magnesium plays an important role in vascular function, neuronal excitability, and metabolic regulation. There is growing interest in the prognostic significance of serum magnesium levels in stroke. However, there is limited data on its association with stroke type, severity, and vascular risk factors among South Asian populations. This study aimed to determine the frequency of hypomagnesemia among patients presenting with stroke and to examine its relationship with stroke subtype, severity, and comorbid conditions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. We enrolled 148 adult patients diagnosed with acute stroke. Serum magnesium levels were measured upon admission. Hypomagnesemia was defined as levels below 1.8 mg/dL. We recorded demographic and clinical data, including stroke type, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking history. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests to assess associations between hypomagnesemia and categorical variables, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Hypomagnesemia was noted among 36.5% of patients. It was significantly more common among those who had ischemic stroke (44.1%) than those who had hemorrhagic stroke (19.6%; p = 0.01). A higher prevalence of hypomagnesemia was observed among patients with mild stroke severity (NIHSS 0–6; p = 0.01). Smoking status showed a strong association, with 52.7% of smokers affected, compared to 26.9% of non-smokers (p = 0.01). Conversely, hypomagnesemia was less prevalent in individuals with hypertension (p = 0.02) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.01). No significant associations emerged with age, gender, or diabetes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that hypomagnesemia frequently affects patients with acute stroke, particularly those with ischemic stroke, mild severity, and smoking history. The inverse association with hypertension and dyslipidemia suggests a complex interplay between magnesium status and vascular risk profiles. Routine assessment of serum magnesium may help identify patients at greater risk of poor outcomes and inform individualized management strategies in acute stroke care.