Study of Serum Magnesium and Uric acid level in patients with acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and is therefore a major public health concern. Acute exacerbations that compromise quality of life, accelerate a decline in respiratory functions, and increase cardiovascular risk during the course of COPD. Few studies have investigated the factors leading to exacerbations. Magnesium may have a role in maintaining disease stability in COPD patients. And serum uric acid has been proposed as a marker for impaired oxidative metabolism & systemic inflammation. A few data exist on the significance of serum uric acid& magnesium in patients with AECOPD. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of serum uric acid& magnesium as a biomarker for the prediction of outcome of patients with AECOPD. Study population was taken from patients admitted to K.R Hospital& PK TB Hospital MMCRI, Mysore with acute exerbation of COPD aged between 18-60years of either sex. 4ml of fasting venous sample was collected from patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD serum was analyzed immediately for Uric acid and Magnesium. 35% of patient had hypomagnesaemia where as 55% of study subjects where normomagnesemic with mean SD of 1.7+0.8. The mean standard deviation of uric acid levels was 7.2+ 2.1. Present study showed hypomagnesaemia and hyperuricemia with increase in duration of disease, stage of the disease and duration of hospital stay. Hence the present study helps in assessing the factors responsible for frequent exacerbations and durations of stay in hospital associated in COPD patients.