Abstract
BackgroundMounting evidence suggests a link between low zinc levels and depression. There is, however, little knowledge about zinc levels in older persons with other psychiatric diagnoses. Therefore, we explore the zinc status of elderly patients suffering from a wide range of psychiatric disorders.MethodsClinical data and blood samples for zinc analyzes were collected from 100 psychogeriatric patients over 64 of age. Psychiatric and cognitive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery and Aasberg Depression Rating Scale, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clockdrawing Test, clinical interviews and a review of medical records. In addition, a diagnostic interview was conducted using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview instrument. The prevalence of zinc deficiency in patients with depression was compared with the prevalence in patients without depression, and the prevalence in a control group of 882 older persons sampled from a population study.ResultsThere was a significant difference in zinc deficiency prevalence between the control group (14.4%) and the patient group (41.0%) (χ2 = 44.81, df = 1, p<0.001). In a logistic model with relevant predictors, zinc deficiency was positively associated with gender and with serum albumin level. The prevalence of zinc deficiency in the patient group was significantly higher in patients without depression (i.e. with other diagnoses) than in patients with depression as a main diagnosis or comorbid depression (χ2 = 4.36, df = 1, p = 0.037).ConclusionsZinc deficiency is quite common among psychogeriatric patients and appears to be even more prominent in patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders than depression.LimitationsThis study does not provide a clear answer as to whether the observed differences represent a causal relationship between zinc deficiency and psychiatric symptoms. The blood sample collection time points varied in both the control group and the patient group. No data regarding zinc supplementation were collected.
Highlights
Zinc is a trace element that is essential for the optimal function of the human body, especially the brain
The 100 psychogeriatric patients (62 females/38 male) included in the present study suffered from a range of disorders, including dementias, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, unipolar depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders
We found that 41 patients had a depressive disorder (mean MontgomeryAsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) = 25.3 (7.9)), as a first time depressive episode, recurrent depression or as part of a bipolar disorder
Summary
Zinc is a trace element that is essential for the optimal function of the human body, especially the brain. The highest concentrations of zinc in the brain are found in the hippocampus and amygdala regions [1]. Zinc is an important cofactor in more than 300 cellular enzymes influencing various organ functions [2]. Important sources of zinc include meat and fresh fish [4]. Zinc deficiency occurs in all age groups and nationalities [1]. A study conducted in five European countries revealed zinc deficiency in 31% of people over 60 years of age [4]. There is, little knowledge about zinc levels in older persons with other psychiatric diagnoses. We explore the zinc status of elderly patients suffering from a wide range of psychiatric disorders
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