Background. The course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is accompanied by acute exacerbations. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of serum magnesium level with acute exacerbations in COPD (COPD-AE). Materials and Methods. Eighty-nine patients hospitalized with COPD-AE were included. Hemogram, biochemical tests, and arterial blood gases were analyzed. Pulmonary function tests were performed in the stable period after discharge. Patients were followed up at 3 monthly periods for one year. Results. Mean age of the patients was (range 47–90) years. Mean number of COPD-AE during follow-up was (range 0–15). On Spearman correlation analysis there were significant negative correlations between number of COPD-AE and predicted FEV1% (), total protein (), globulin (), creatinine (), and uric acid levels (). There were also significant positive correlations between number of COPD-AE and serum magnesium level () and platelet count (). According to linear regression analysis predicted FEV1% (), serum magnesium (), and globulin () levels were independent predictors of number of COPD-AE. Conclusions. In this small prospective observational study we found that serum magnesium level during exacerbation period was the most significant predictor of frequency of COPD-AE. 1. Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease, generally progressive in nature, characterized by chronic inflammatory response of the airways and lungs to harmful gasses and particles, particularly tobacco and biomass fuel smoke (GOLD 2014) [1]. Acute exacerbations that compromise quality of life, accelerate a decline in respiratory functions, and increase economic costs may occur during the course of stable COPD [2, 3]. COPD exacerbation was defined as an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms (increased dyspnea, increased cough or change in amount, and purulence of sputum) that was beyond normal day-to-day variations of symptoms [1]. COPD acute exacerbation (COPD-AE) frequently appears with respiratory tract infections. It is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity [4]. Few studies have investigated the factors leading to exacerbations. Advanced age, low FEV1%, advanced stage of disease, poor performance status, accompanying anxiety and/or depression, poor quality of life, history of frequent exacerbation, hypercapnia, and prolonged duration of disease have all been identified as factors causing frequent exacerbation [5–8]. Magnesium is involved in such important functions as bronchodilation and contraction
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