FREQUENCY OF HYPOMAGNESEMIA IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH MIGRAINE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
- Authors
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Awais Younus
Author
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Mahrukh Zain
Author
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Hashir Amin Malik
Author
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- Keywords:
- Diabetes Mellitus, Headache Disorders, Hypertension, Hypomagnesemia, Magnesium, Migraine Disorders, Obesity
- Abstract
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Background: Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder that significantly impairs quality of life, productivity, and functional ability. Increasing evidence suggests that magnesium plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of migraine by influencing neuronal excitability and vascular tone. Magnesium deficiency may predispose patients to more frequent and severe attacks. This study aimed to determine the frequency of hypomagnesemia among migraine patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Objective: To determine the frequency of hypomagnesemia among patients with migraine at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Neurology, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, from 8 September 2022 to 7 March 2023, R&RC Number: NEU-2019-069-570. A total of 151 patients aged 20–60 years, fulfilling ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine, were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected under aseptic conditions, and serum magnesium levels were measured in the hospital laboratory. Hypomagnesemia was defined as a serum magnesium level below 1.3 mEq/L. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Among 151 patients, 56 (37.1%) were males and 95 (62.9%) females, with a mean age of 34.13 ± 10.00 years. Most participants, 118 (78.1%), were under 40 years. Rural residents accounted for 51 (33.8%), while 100 (66.2%) belonged to urban areas. The mean BMI was 24.58 ± 3.59 kg/m², and obesity was found in 22 (14.6%) cases. Diabetes was present in 33 (21.9%) and hypertension in 43 (28.5%) patients. The mean disease duration was 8.89 ± 6.67 months, and 28 (18.5%) were smokers. The mean serum magnesium level was 1.25 ± 0.37 mEq/L, and hypomagnesemia was detected in 71 (47.0%) patients, showing significant association with diabetes (p = 0.047), hypertension (p = 0.047), obesity (p = 0.000), and disease duration (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: A high frequency of hypomagnesemia was found among migraine patients, particularly those with metabolic comorbidities and longer disease duration. Routine assessment and correction of magnesium deficiency should be incorporated into migraine management to improve prognosis, reduce associated morbidities, and enhance patients’ quality of life.
- Author Biographies
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- 2024-10-31
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Copyright (c) 2024 Awais Younus, Mahrukh Zain, Hashir Amin Malik (Author)

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