Diabetic microangiopathy is a major cause of disability and long‑term mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). As an essential micronutrient, magnesium participates in numerous enzymatic reactions and plays critical roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, bone metabolism, neuromuscular function, and the regulation of inflammation and coagulation. However, clear evidence regarding the associations between magnesium, coagulation abnormalities, and microangiopathy in T1DM patients remains lacking.
A recent study published in Nutrition & Diabetes focused on pediatric and adolescent T1DM populations. The findings revealed that magnesium levels in this cohort were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Magnesium deficiency was closely correlated with poor glycemic control, coagulopathy, and diabetic microangiopathy, providing novel evidence for early prevention and intervention of complications in this population.
This study demonstrates that pediatric and adolescent T1DM patients exhibit significant hypomagnesemia accompanied by coagulation disorders and hypofibrinolytic status (shortened PT and aPTT, elevated PAI‑1 levels). These alterations were more pronounced in patients with concurrent microangiopathy. Hypomagnesemia was independently associated with poor glycemic control, coagulation abnormalities, and microangiopathy, suggesting its potential involvement in driving complication pathogenesis. Therefore, screening and correcting magnesium deficiency alongside standard insulin therapy may represent a promising strategy to improve metabolic control and prevent microvascular complications.