Severe intracellular magnesium and potassium depletion in patients after treatment with cisplatin
2003

Magnesium and Potassium Loss After Cisplatin Treatment

Sample size: 68 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lajer H, Bundgaard H, Secher N H, Hansen H H, Kjeldsen K, Daugaard G

Primary Institution: Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen

Hypothesis

Does cisplatin treatment lead to significant intracellular magnesium and potassium depletion in patients?

Conclusion

Cisplatin treatment caused significant magnesium and potassium depletion in most patients, often without corresponding changes in plasma levels.

Supporting Evidence

  • P-Mg levels fell significantly after treatment, indicating magnesium depletion.
  • Skeletal muscle magnesium content decreased significantly post-treatment.
  • The fraction of patients low in both plasma and skeletal muscle magnesium increased after treatment.

Takeaway

When patients get treated with a medicine called cisplatin, they can lose important minerals like magnesium and potassium, which can make them feel weak and tired.

Methodology

The study involved muscle biopsies and blood samples from patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy to measure magnesium and potassium levels.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to exclusion of patients with diabetes or thyroid/parathyroid diseases.

Limitations

Some patients could not provide both pre- and post-treatment biopsies, and the study excluded patients with certain health conditions.

Participant Demographics

The study included 68 patients, with a mean age of 54 years, and a male to female ratio of 46:19.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601344

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