The role of magnesium deficiency correction in the rehabilitation of women with climacteric syndrome and surgical menopause: results of the MAGYN study
Authors: Blinov D. V. , Solopova A. G. , Achkasov E. E. , Ezhova A. A. , Kuznetsova A. S. , Kalashnikova I. S. , Petrenko D. A. 
Published: January 2023

Introduction. It is believed to be relevant to assess a profile in patients not using menopausal hormone therapy (non-MHT) with climacteric syndrome (CS) and surgical menopause, because this cohort includes patients with malignant neoplasms of the reproductive system at the stage of rehabilitation after radical surgery, for whom few study data in real-world data are available.

Aim: to describe a profile of non-MHT women with CS and surgical menopause included in the MAGYN study.

Materials and Methods. A non-interventional epidemiological study screened for magnesium deficiency in 1528 non-MHT women with CS and surgical menopause; 29 patients were at recovery period after radical surgical treatment of reproductive system cancer (vulvar, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer). The number and proportion of women with magnesium deficiency was assessed using the Magnesium Deficiency Questionnaire (MDQ), and a biochemical blood test was performed to measure serum magnesium concentration. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). There were analyzed general somatic pathology, complaints, symptoms of magnesium deficiency by using visual analog scale, as well as the data of drug therapy, including a combination of magnesium citrate + vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) applied for 4 weeks.

Results. According to the MDQ, the prevalence of magnesium deficiency was 72.3 % (55.1 % with moderate and 15.2 % with severe deficiency). Of 469 women, serum magnesium concentration ≤ 0.80 mmol/L was found in 377 (80.38 %), ≤ 0.70 mmol/L – in 278 (59.28 %). Surgical menopause was significantly more common in patients with magnesium deficiency (13.0 %). Among the symptoms of CS in patients with magnesium deficiency, neuropsychiatric symptoms were significantly more common: 47.3 % vs. 43.2 % (p = 0.035). After 4 weeks of therapy, the MDQ score decreased from 46.0 ± 12.7 to 29.2 ± 15.1 points (p < 0.001), serum magnesium level increased to 0.79 ± 0.23 mmol/L. The WHOQOL-BREF demonstrated a significantly improved QoL compared to pre-therapy, including physical and psychological well-being (21.1 ± 4.5 vs. 26.2 ± 3.5 score; p < 0.001), selfperception (18,2 ± 3.7 vs. 22.2 ± 3.6 score; p < 0.001), social well-being (24.8 ± 4.9 vs. 28.1 ± 4.4 score; p < 0.001) and satisfaction with microsocial support (9.3 ± 2.7 vs. 11.0 ± 2.8 score; p < 0.001).

Conclusion. The high prevalence of magnesium deficiency and its close relationship with symptoms decreasing QoL (neuropsychic symptoms, hot flashes, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, chronic stress, frequent headaches, etc.) have been confirmed. Further research is needed to assess an effect of magnesium deficiency correction as part of complex medical rehabilitation on the QoL of women with malignant neoplasms of the reproductive system after radical surgery.