Hypomagnesemia is reported in patients who use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). We investigated the effect of PPIs use on serum magnesium levels in hemodialysis patients. Our study was conducted in a hemodialysis center including 75 end stage renal disease patients. PPI use and duration were investigated. All patients were dialyzed using a dialysate magnesium level of 0.5-0.75 mmol/L. After at least one month of hemodialysis with the mentioned dialysate, laboratory tests were performed. Fifty-four patients (72%) used PPIs while 21 (28%) did not. The mean duration of PPI use was 42.5 ± 35 months. There was no significant difference between serum magnesium levels of patients who used and did not use PPIs (2.73 ± 0.3 vs. 2.88 ± 0.3 mg/dL, P = ns). There were 15 patients (20%) with a dialysate magnesium level of 0.5 mmol/l and 60 patients (80%) with a dialysate magnesium level of 0.75 mmol/L. The mean serum magnesium levels of patients with a dialysate magnesium level of 0.5 mmol/L was 2.45 ± 0.3 mg/dL while that of patients with a dialysate magnesium level of 0.75 mmol/L was 2.85 ± 0.3 mg/dL (P<0.0001). In hemodialysis patients, PPI use did not affect serum magnesium levels. The most important factor affecting the serum magnesium levels in hemodialysis patients is the dialysate magnesium concentration.
Keywords: Hemodialysis; magnesium; proton pump inhibitor.