Prevalence of Hypomagnesemia among Alcohol Dependents admitted under Psychiatry Department(Cases) Prevalence of Hypomagnesemia among Non Alcohol Dependent Male Subjects coming to Medicine OPD between the age of 20-60 years(Controls)

Alcohol dependence is a rampant social problem in our community with widespread health ramifications in terms of central nervous system effects including dementia, alcohol withdrawal. delirium tremens,Wernicke’s encephalopathy, Korsacoff’s psychosis and seizures ,peripheral nervous system including loss of sensation as well as burning pain and tingling sensations and paresthesias and profound effects on the liver function as well. Delirium tremens is associated with hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis of which the commonest is hypomagnesemia.

We aim to estimate the prevalence of hypomagnesemia among 100 subjects admitted with features of alcohol dependence and treat it if present and compare that with the prevalence of hypomagnesemia among 100 non-alchol dependent controls attending the Medicine   OP. We hope we can evolve guidelines where we look for hypomagnesemia among all alcohol dependent subjects as a rule. Alcohol dependence is decided based on the CAGE questionnaire:C-have u ever felt the need to CUT down on your alcohol intake,A-have people annoyed you by criticising you on your alcohol intake,G-have you ever felt Guilty about it,E-have you ever  needed to take a drink first thing in the morning as an EYE OPENER?.Serum magnesium below 1.6 mg% is taken as hypomagnesemia