Differences in Erythrocyte Magnesium Levels between Men with Schizophrenia Treated with Risperidone and Haloperidol in Prof. Dr. M Ildrem Psychiatric Hospital Medan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia according to the world health organization is one of the top ten causes of disability in developed countries around the world. Because of the severity, chronicity, and prevalence of schizophrenia, it has a very large economic burden. Magnesium is a micronutrient needed by the body which can affect mental health. Erythrocyte magnesium levels are considered more sensitive than serum magnesium levels to reflect intracellular magnesium status. AIM: The objective of the study was to determine the differences in erythrocyte magnesium levels between men with schizophrenia who received risperidone and haloperidol treatment at Prof. Dr. M Ildrem Psychiatric Hospital, Medan. METHODS: This study is an intention to treat and is an experimental pre-test and post-test that compares two groups, namely the intervention group and the control group. The sampling method is non-probability sampling with a consecutive sampling type. The research was conducted at Prof. Dr. M. Ildrem Psychiatric Hospital Medan between July and October 2019. The subjects of the study were 60 men with schizophrenia, namely, 30 who received risperidone and 30 who received haloperidol. RESULTS: There was a difference in the levels of male erythrocyte magnesium with schizophrenia who received risperidone and haloperidol between the initial week and the third week with a value of p = 0.007. Where there was a higher increase in the haloperidol group which showed a significant difference, namely, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The increase in magnesium levels will improve the symptoms of schizophrenia where magnesium activity decreases glutamate release associated with N-Methyl D-Aspartate receptors and results in the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic system.