Prevalence of Magnesium Deficiency and Its Association with Age and Sex Among Individuals Attending Al-baraa Medical Laboratory in Derna, Libya

Ghada Otman; Marwa Bumaluma; Mahbuba Hassan; Aziza Alsheekh; Ayman Abdul Wanis

doi:10.54361/ajmas.261023

Authors

Ghada Otman Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and Technologies, Al Bayda, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8582-784X
Marwa Bumaluma Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Derna, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6383-4019
Mahbuba Hassan Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Derna, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4586-4067
Aziza Alsheekh Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Derna, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2885-277X
Ayman Abdul Wanis Laboratory Medicine Department, College of Medical Technology, Derna, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9372-8861

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.261023

Keywords:

Magnesium Deficiency, Serum Magnesium, Prevalence, Correlation, Derna, Libya

Abstract

Serum magnesium plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, and its deficiency is associated with multiple health complications. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of magnesium deficiency and assess its association with demographic factors (age and gender) among the study population at Al-Baraa Medical Laboratory in Derna. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during spring 2026 among 300 individuals attending Al-Bara Medical Laboratory in Derna, Libya. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum magnesium was measured using the colorimetric Calmagite method with a BioLabo Magnesium reagent kit and Photometer 4040. Magnesium deficiency was defined as a serum magnesium concentration <1.7 mg/dL. Data on age, sex, serum magnesium concentration, and magnesium status were collected and analyzed statistically. The study included 300 participants with a mean age of 38.97 ± 18.45 years. Females constituted the majority of participants (244, 81.3%). Magnesium deficiency was observed in 199 (66.3%) participants, whereas 101 (33.7%) had normal magnesium status. A statistically significant association was found between age and magnesium status (χ² = 11.29, p = 0.046), while no significant association was observed between sex and magnesium status (χ² = 0.80, p = 0.371). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a weak negative correlation between age and serum magnesium concentration (r = −0.121, p = 0.037). Magnesium deficiency was common among participants. Age was significantly associated with magnesium status and showed a weak inverse correlation with serum magnesium, while no significant association was found with sex. Further population-based studies are recommended to confirm these findings.