Association between Serum Magnesium Levels and Mortality in a Community-Based Population: The Yamagata (Takahata) Study

Abstract

The element magnesium (Mg) is involved in various metabolic reactions within the human body, and its deficiency is considered a risk factor for several diseases. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum Mg levels and mortality in a community-based population. We prospectively assessed the association between serum Mg levels at enrollment and all-cause mortality in 1,314 participants who underwent a community health examination. The mean serum Mg level was 2.4 (±0.2) mg/dL. Patients with serum Mg levels ≤2.3 mg/dL constituted the low Mg group, while those with serum Mg ≥2.4 mg/dL constituted the high Mg group. Ninety-three (7.1%) patients died during the 10-y follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the low Mg group (log-rank p<0.05). Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed a significant association in the unadjusted model (hazard ratio [HR] 1.72, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.14–2.58, p<0.01) and in the fully adjusted model (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.09–2.76, p<0.05). This association was particularly strong in males (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.19–3.63, p<0.05). Low serum Mg levels were significantly associated with the risk of all-cause mortality among males in a community-based Japanese population.