MAGNESIUM LEVEL AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}Stroud S, Salvato P, Thompson C; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12; 10: 202 (abstract no. PB0235). Med. Univ., Charleston, SC.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if a relationship exists between low serum magnesium (Mg) levels and symptoms characteristic of peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: 68 pts. with HIV infection (59 AIDS) provided data. Histories were compatible with sensory dysfunction. Physical exams revealed abnormal sensory findings in feet/legs, reduced pinprick and vibratory sensations, with reduced/absent ankle jerks. 46 pts. had EMG nerve studies: 38 showed peripheral neuropathy. Exclusions: neurotoxic drugs, alcohol abuse, and diabetes. All pts. had normal vitamin B12 levels, normal thyroid function, and decreased serum Mg levels (mean 1.2). Pts. received an initial IV replacement of Mg and subsequent oral replacement. Mg levels were drawn monthly.
RESULTS: Response was measured by improved pinprick and vibratory sensation, increased ankle jerk, decreased subjective pain, and decreased pain medication. 46 pts. (78%) had improvement in symptoms within 24-48 hours. 22 pts. (32%) showed no initial improvement. 7 of the 22 (32%), however, showed improvement after subsequent oral Mg (mean 14 days). At 12 months, 13 pts. were lost to follow-up. The remaining 55 pts. (81%) continued to demonstrate improvement in symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Mg deficiency is a cause of sensory peripheral neuropathy-like symptoms in HIV disease. Mg replacement appears to be a beneficial treatment for sensory neuropathics in late stage HIV disease, both reducing morbidity and decreasing use of pain medications. Mg levels should be evaluated in HIV patients presenting with sensory neuropathy.
