We undertook this study to assess the hypothesis that hypomagnesemia is associated with depressive symptoms in older people with diabetes.A total of 55 type 2 diabetic patients, aged 65 years or older, with depressive symptoms were compared with a control group of diabetic subjects without depressive symptoms in an age- and gender-matched case/control study. A score >or=11 points in the Yesavage's scale was used for defining depressive symptoms, and hypomagnesemia was defined by serum magnesium levels