Risk Of Psychiatric Disorders Research Articles

Genetically predicted fatty liver disease and risk of psychiatric disorders: A mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) constitute the primary forms of chronic liver disease, and their incidence is progressively increasing with changes in lifestyle habits. Earlier studies have documented a correlation between the occurrence and development of prevalent mental disorders and fatty liver. AIM To investigate the correlation between fatty liver and mental disorders, thus necessitating the implementation of a mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate this association. METHODS Data on NAFLD and ArLD were retrieved from the genome-wide association studies catalog, while information on mental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, multiple personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia was acquired from the psychiatric genomics consortium. A two-sample MR method was applied to investigate mediators in significant associations. RESULTS After excluding weak instrumental variables, a causal relationship was identified between fatty liver disease and the occurrence and development of some psychiatric disorders. Specifically, the findings indicated that ArLD was associated with a significantly elevated risk of developing ADHD (OR: 5.81, 95%CI: 5.59-6.03, P < 0.01), bipolar disorder (OR: 5.73, 95%CI: 5.42-6.05, P = 0.03), OCD (OR: 6.42, 95%CI: 5.60-7.36, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 5.66, 95%CI: 5.33-6.01, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, NAFLD significantly increased the risk of developing bipolar disorder (OR: 55.08, 95%CI: 3.59-845.51, P < 0.01), OCD (OR: 61.50, 95%CI: 6.69-565.45, P < 0.01), and PTSD (OR: 52.09, 95%CI: 4.24-639.32, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Associations were found between genetic predisposition to fatty liver disease and an increased risk of a broad range of psychiatric disorders, namely bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD, highlighting the significance of preventive measures against psychiatric disorders in patients with fatty liver disease.

Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and risk of psychiatric disorders

Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationships between brain functional networks and risk of psychiatric disorders

Epigenetic mechanisms linking early-life adversities and mental health.

Early-life adversities, whether prenatal or postnatal exposure, have been linked to adverse mental health outcomes later in life increasing the risk of several psychiatric disorders. Research on its neurobiological consequences demonstrated an association between exposure to adversities and persistent alterations in the structure, function, and connectivity of the brain. Consistent evidence supports the idea that regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms are involved in embedding the impact of early-life experiences in the genome and mediate between social environments and later behavioral phenotypes. In addition, studies from rodent models and humans suggest that these experiences and the acquired risk factors can be transmitted through epigenetic mechanisms to offspring and the following generations potentially contributing to a cycle of disease or disease risk. However, one of the important aspects of epigenetic mechanisms, unlike genetic sequences that are fixed and unchangeable, is that although the epigenetic markings are long-lasting, they are nevertheless potentially reversible. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the mental health consequences derived from early-life exposure to malnutrition, maltreatment and poverty, adversities with huge and pervasive impact on mental health. We also discuss the evidence about transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals and experimental data suggesting that suitable social and pharmacological interventions could reverse adverse epigenetic modifications induced by early-life negative social experiences. In this regard, these studies must be accompanied by efforts to determine the causes that promote these adversities and that result in health inequity in the population.

Neurological or Psychiatric Disorders After Dengue Fever

This cohort study investigates the association between dengue fever and risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders among adults in Taiwan.

Is Common Genetic Risk for Psychiatric Disorders Associated With Traumatic Experiences in Youth?

Is Common Genetic Risk for Psychiatric Disorders Associated With Traumatic Experiences in Youth?

Study on Predictor Variables for Different Dimensions of Mental Health among Melavoi Village of Covid-19 Affected Young Adults Living in Anantapuram District, Andhra Pradesh

Early adulthood is an extremely diverse period of life. it encompasses a wide range of lifestyle choices and responsibilities. The pandemic has impacted the mental health of young adults very severely. Covid-19 pandemic there has been an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, chronic trauma with an eventual risk of increased suicidality and suicidal behavior linking this to immune mediated mechanisms of stress. For better dealing with these psychosocial issues of different strata of the society, psychosocial crisis prevention and intervention models should be urgently developed by the government, health care personnel and other stakeholders. Apt application of internet services, technology and social media to curb both pandemic and infodemic needs to be instigated. The main focus of the study was to swot on “Study on predictor variables for different dimensions of mental health among Melavoi village of Covid-19 affected young adults living in Anantapuram district, Andhra Pradesh”. Purposive random sampling technique was selected for the study. The respondents were selected from Melavoi village of Anantapuram district, Andhra Pradesh. Male and Female who are in the age group of 18-35 years affected with Covid-19 was selected for the study. The group consists of 30 Covid-19 affected young adults of 15 males and 15 females from Melavoivillage for the study. The study found that Covid-19 outbreak made respondents to experience lot of mental health problems like emotional distress, anxiety, stress, despair, dissatisfaction, impatience irrespective of gender.

Is waiting for rewards good for you? No association between impulsive choice, psychopathology, and functional outcomes in a large cohort sample

AbstractBackgroundA stronger preference for immediate rewards has been reported in individuals with ADHD and other disorders. However, the consistency of the associations between this preference and psychiatric conditions as well as functional outcomes have been questioned. Research on its association with longitudinal outcomes is scarce.MethodsThe current study used data on a choice delay task (CDT) from a school‐based cohort of Brazilian children with those at higher risk for psychiatric disorders over‐sampled (n = 1917). The sample included typically developing children (n = 1379), those with ADHD (n = 213), and other disorders. The frequency of the trials where children chose a larger later reward versus a smaller sooner reward was compared for those with ADHD and typically developing children. Cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, the study also evaluated whether children's preference for larger delayed rewards at baseline predicted the presence of psychiatric disorders and functional life outcomes (academic performance, alcohol use, early pregnancy, criminal conviction, BMI).ResultsChildren with ADHD and their typically developing peers performed similarly on the CDT. Their baseline task performance was not related to psychiatric conditions or life outcomes.ConclusionsThe current results raise questions regarding the use of the CDT with diverse populations and whether a preference for larger delayed rewards is predictive of positive long‐term outcomes as widely assumed.

Cardiomyopathies and Psychiatric Disorders: An Overview and General Clinical Recommendations.

The association between cardiomyopathies (CMPs) and psychiatric disorders is a complex and bidirectional phenomenon that involves multiple mechanisms and factors. CMPs may raise the risk of psychiatric disorders due to the psychological stress, physical limitations, social isolation, or poor prognosis associated with the underlying disease. Psychiatric disorders, on the other hand, can increase the possibility of developing or worsening CMPs due to the behavioral, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, or pharmacological effects of mental illness or its treatment. Moreover, some common genetic or environmental factors may have a relevant influence on both conditions. With this comprehensive review, we sought to provide an overview of the current evidence on the strict and intriguing interconnection between CMPs and psychiatric disorders, focusing on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical implications, and management strategies.

Increased risk of psychiatric disorder in patients with hearing loss: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BackgroundHearing loss has been shown to be a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. In addition, long-term hearing loss is associated with increased hospitalization and mortality rates; however, the increased risk and duration of effect of hearing loss in combination with other chronic diseases on each psychiatric disorder are still not clearly defined. The purpose of this article is to clarify the risk of hearing loss for each disorder over time.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study, and a national health insurance research database in Taiwan was utilized. All (n = 1,949,101) Taiwanese residents who had a medical visit between 2000 and 2015 were included. Patients with hearing loss and a comparative retrospective cohort were analyzed. Every subject was tracked individually from their index date to identify the subjects who later received a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. The Kaplan‒Meier method was used to analyze the cumulative incidence of psychiatric disorders. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the risk of psychiatric disorders.ResultsA total of 13,341 (15.42%) and 31,250 (9.03%) patients with and without hearing loss, respectively, were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that hearing loss significantly elevated the risk of psychiatric disorders (adjusted HR = 2.587, 95% CI 1.723–3.346, p < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings indicate that patients with hearing loss are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the various psychiatric disorders are more likely to occur at different times. Our findings have important clinical implications, including a need for clinicians to implement early intervention for hearing loss and to pay close attention to patients’ psychological status.Trial registration TSGHIRB No. E202216036.

A comprehensive assessment of toxoplasmosis and its dormant impact on psychotic disorders (Review).

Toxoplasmosis is a pathological condition induced by the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which has a notable affinity for the cellular components of the central nervous system. Over the decades, the relationship between toxoplasmosis and the development of psychiatric disorders has generated profound interest within the scientific community. Whether considering immunocompetent or immunocompromised patients, epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to T. gondii may be associated with a higher risk of certain psychiatric disorders. However, there are extensive debates regarding the exact nature of this association and how T. gondii is involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Toxoplasmosis has long been considered an asymptomatic infection among immunocompetent patients. However, there appears to be an association between chronic brain infection with T. gondii and alterations in patient neuronal architecture, neurochemistry and behavior. The present review aimed to compile statements and pathophysiological hypotheses regarding the potential association between toxoplasmosis and psychotic disorders. Further research is necessary for understanding the potential relationship of T. gondii infection and psychotic disorders.

Genetic predisposition for negative affect predicts mental health burden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was accompanied by an increase in mental health challenges including depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety. Common genetic variants can contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders and may present a risk factor in times of crises. However, it is unclear to what extent polygenic risk played a role in the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate whether polygenic scores (PGSs) for mental health-related traits can distinguish between four resilience-vulnerability trajectories identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020/21. We used multinomial regression in a genotyped subsample (n = 1316) of the CovSocial project. The most resilient trajectory characterized by the lowest mental health burden and the highest recovery rates served as the reference group. Compared to this most resilient trajectory, a higher value on the PGS for the well-being spectrum decreased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.3%). Conversely, a higher value on the PGS for neuroticism increased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.2%). Latent change in mental health burden extracted from the resilience-vulnerability trajectories was not associated with any PGS. Although our findings support an influence of PGS on mental health during COVID-19, the small added explained variance suggests limited utility of such genetic markers for the identification of vulnerable individuals in the general population.

Susceptibility to Treatment-Resistant Depression Within Families

Antidepressant responses and the phenotype of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are believed to have a genetic basis. Genetic susceptibility between the TRD phenotype and other psychiatric disorders has also been established in previous genetic studies, but population-based cohort studies have not yet provided evidence to support these outcomes. To estimate the TRD susceptibility and the susceptibility between TRD and other psychiatric disorders within families in a nationwide insurance cohort with extremely high coverage and comprehensive health care data. This cohort study assessed data from the Taiwan national health insurance database across entire population (N = 26 554 001) between January 2003 and December 2017. Data analysis was performed from August 2021 to April 2023. TRD was defined as having experienced at least 3 distinct antidepressant treatments in the current episode, each with adequate dose and duration, based on the prescribing records. Then, we identified the first-degree relatives of individuals with TRD (n = 34 467). A 1:4 comparison group (n = 137 868) of first-degree relatives of individuals without TRD was arranged for the comparison group, matched by birth year, sex, and kinship. Modified Poisson regression analyses were performed and adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% CIs were calculated for the risk of TRD, the risk of other major psychiatric disorders, and different causes of mortality. This study included 172 335 participants (88 330 male and 84 005 female; mean [SD] age at beginning of follow-up, 22.9 [18.1] years). First-degree relatives of individuals with TRD had lower incomes, more physical comorbidities, higher suicide mortality, and increased risk of developing TRD (aRR, 9.16; 95% CI, 7.21-11.63) and higher risk of other psychiatric disorders than matched control individuals, including schizophrenia (aRR, 2.36; 95% CI, 2.10-2.65), bipolar disorder (aRR, 3.74; 95% CI, 3.39-4.13), major depressive disorder (aRR, 3.65; 95% CI, 3.44-3.87), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (aRR, 2.38; 95% CI, 2.20-2.58), autism spectrum disorder (aRR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.86-2.74), anxiety disorder (aRR, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.59-2.84), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (aRR, 3.14; 95% CI, 2.70-3.66). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses validated the robustness of the findings. To our knowledge, this study is the largest and perhaps first nationwide cohort study to demonstrate TRD phenotype transmission across families and coaggregation with other major psychiatric disorders. Patients with a family history of TRD had an increased risk of suicide mortality and tendency toward antidepressant resistance; therefore, more intensive treatments for depressive symptoms might be considered earlier, rather than antidepressant monotherapy.

Distinct longitudinal brain white matter microstructure changes and associated polygenic risk of common psychiatric disorders and Alzheimer’s disease in the UK Biobank

BackgroundDuring the course of adulthood and aging, white matter (WM) structure and organization are characterized by slow degradation processes such as demyelination and shrinkage. An acceleration of such aging process has been linked to the development of a range of diseases. Thus, an accurate description of healthy brain maturation, in particular, in terms of WM features, provides a cornerstone in the understanding of aging. MethodsWe use longitudinal diffusion magnetic resonance imaging to provide an overview of WM changes at different spatial and temporal scales in the UK Biobank (UKB) (N=2,678; agescan 1=62.38±7.23 years; agescan 2=64.81±7.1 years). To examine the genetic overlap between WM structure and common clinical conditions, we tested the associations between WM structure and polygenic risk scores (PGRS) for the most common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and common psychiatric disorders (uni- and bipolar depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, autism, schizophrenia, attention-deficit-hyperactivity) in longitudinal (N=2,329) and cross-sectional UKB validation data (N=31,056). ResultsOur findings indicate spatially distributed WM changes across the brain, as well as distributed associations of PGRS with WM. Importantly, brain longitudinal changes reflected the genetic risk for disorder development better than the utilized cross-sectional measures, with regional differences giving more specific insights into gene-brain change associations than global averages. ConclusionsWe exctend recent findings by providing a detailed overview of WM microstructure degeneration on different spatial levels, helping to understand fundamental brain ageing processes. Further longitudinal research is warranted to examine ageing-related gene-brain associations.

Behavioral and Psychiatric Disorders in Syndromic Autism.

Syndromic autism refers to autism spectrum disorder diagnosed in the context of a known genetic syndrome. The specific manifestations of any one of these syndromic autisms are related to a clinically defined genetic syndrome that can be traced to certain genes and variants, genetic deletions, or duplications at the chromosome level. The genetic mutations or defects in single genes associated with these genetic disorders result in a significant elevation of risk for developing autism relative to the general population and are related to recurrence with inheritance patterns. Additionally, these syndromes are associated with typical behavioral characteristics or phenotypes as well as an increased risk for specific behavioral or psychiatric disorders and clinical findings. Knowledge of these associations helps guide clinicians in identifying potentially treatable conditions that can help to improve the lives of affected patients and their families.

Assessment of mental health and quality of life among children with congenital heart disease.

The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of specific psychiatric disorders, identify predictors associated with these disorders, and assess the quality of life (QoL) among children with congenital heart disease. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the National Heart Institute outpatient clinics. It included 204 children with structural congenital heart defects (CHD). In addition to assessing QoL with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scale, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents was utilized to identify psychiatric disorders in the children studied. Children with CHD were at increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders. They were also more susceptible to obsessive-compulsive disorder than the comprative healthy group. In children with CHD, the cyanotic group demonstrated a greater decrease in QoL than the acyanotic group. Children with CHD have an increased risk of psychiatric disorders and a lower overall QoL score.

Eating Disorders and Suicidal Ideation in Morbid and Non-morbid Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Patients with chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at a higher risk of depression and psychiatric disorders, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Eating disorders appear to be one of the factors contributing to T2DM and resulting in poor glycemic control and complications. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of eating disorders and suicidal ideation between morbid and non-morbid T2DM patients. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted at the Yazd Diabetes Research Center from August 2021 to March 2022. A total of 232 T2DM patients aged between 30 and 65 were included in the study. Through convenience sampling, data were collected using structured questionnaires to assess eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and demographic information. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between variables. Results: The study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of eating disorders between the two groups of T2DM patients (P = 0.083). However, upon considering age as a contributing factor, it was observed that younger patients afflicted with morbid T2DM exhibited a markedly higher incidence of eating disorders when compared to their non-morbid counterparts (P = 0.019). In contrast, a significant distinction emerged in terms of suicidal ideation between the two groups (P = 0.015), with patients suffering from morbid T2DM reporting elevated rates of contemplating suicide. Subgroup analyses further underscored a heightened prevalence of suicidal ideation among female patients and those aged 30 - 59 who were afflicted with morbid T2DM. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of mental health assessment in T2DM patients, particularly those with morbid disease, younger age, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and poor glycemic control. Early detection and intervention for eating disorders and suicidal ideation could significantly improve the overall well-being and outcomes of T2DM patients.

Alcohol drinking, DNA methylation and psychiatric disorders: A multi-omics Mendelian randomization study to investigate causal pathways.

Whether alcohol-related DNA methylation has a causal effect on psychiatric disorders has not been investigated. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation into the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms linking alcohol consumption and psychiatric disorders has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the causal effect of general alcohol intake and pathological drinking behaviors on psychiatric disorders, alcohol-associated DNA methylation on gene expression and psychiatric disorders, and gene expression on psychiatric disorders. Two-sample design Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Various sensitivity and validation analyses, including colocalization analysis, were conducted to test the robustness of the results. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data mainly from GWAS and Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine use (GSCAN), Genetics of DNA Methylation Consortium (GoDMC) and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) with European ancestry. The GWAS summary data on general alcohol intake (drinks per week, n = 941 280), pathological drinking behaviors (including alcohol use disorder [AUD, n = 313 959] and problematic alcohol use [PAU, n = 435 563]) and psychiatric disorders (including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, n = 51 710-500 199) were included. Alcohol-related DNA methylation CpG sites (n = 9643) and mQTL data from blood (n = 27 750) and brain (n = 1160), BrainMeta v2 and GTEx V8 eQTL summary data (n = 73-2865) were also included. Genetic variants were selected as instrumental variables for exposures, including drinks per week, AUD, PAU, alcohol-related DNA methylation CpG sites (mQTL) and genes selected (eQTL). Pathological drinking behaviors were associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders after removing outliers or controlling for alcohol consumption. MR analysis identified 10 alcohol-related CpG sites with colocalization evidence that were causally associated with psychiatric disorders (P = 1.65 × 10-4-7.52 × 10-22). Furthermore, the expression of genes (RERE, PTK6, GATAD2B, COG8, PDF and GAS5) mapped to these CpG sites in the brain, led by the cortex, were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (P = 1.19 × 10-2-3.51 × 10-7). Pathological drinking behavior and alcohol-related DNA methylation appear to have a causal effect on psychiatric disorders. The expression of genes regulated by the alcohol-related DNA methylation sites may underpin this association.

Long-term risk of psychiatric disorder and psychotropic prescription after SARS-CoV-2 infection among UK general population.

Despite evidence indicating increased risk of psychiatric issues among COVID-19 survivors, questions persist about long-term mental health outcomes and the protective effect of vaccination. Using UK Biobank data, three cohorts were constructed: SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 26,101), contemporary control with no evidence of infection (n = 380,337) and historical control predating the pandemic (n = 390,621). Compared with contemporary controls, infected participants had higher subsequent risks of incident mental health at 1 year (hazard ratio (HR): 1.54, 95% CI 1.42-1.67; P = 1.70 × 10-24; difference in incidence rate: 27.36, 95% CI 21.16-34.10 per 1,000 person-years), including psychotic, mood, anxiety, alcohol use and sleep disorders, and prescriptions for antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers and opioids. Risks were higher for hospitalized individuals (2.17, 1.70-2.78; P = 5.80 × 10-10) than those not hospitalized (1.41, 1.30-1.53; P = 1.46 × 10-16), and were reduced in fully vaccinated people (0.97, 0.80-1.19; P = 0.799) compared with non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals (1.64, 1.49-1.79; P = 4.95 × 10-26). Breakthrough infections showed similar risk of psychiatric diagnosis (0.91, 0.78-1.07; P = 0.278) but increased prescription risk (1.42, 1.00-2.02; P = 0.053) compared with uninfected controls. Early identification and treatment of psychiatric disorders in COVID-19 survivors, especially those severely affected or unvaccinated, should be a priority in the management of long COVID. With the accumulation of breakthrough infections in the post-pandemic era, the findings highlight the need for continued optimization of strategies to foster resilience and prevent escalation of subclinical mental health symptoms to severe disorders.

Dorsal CA3 overactivation mediates witnessing stress-induced recognition memory deficits in adolescent male mice.

Witnessing violent or traumatic events is common during childhood and adolescence and could cause detrimental effects such as increased risks of psychiatric disorders. This stressor could be modeled in adolescent laboratory animals using the chronic witnessing social defeat (CWSD) paradigm, but the behavioral consequences of CWSD in adolescent animals remain to be validated for cognitive, anxiety-like, and depression-like behaviors and, more importantly, the underlying neural mechanisms remain to be uncovered. In this study, we first established the CWSD model in adolescent male mice and found that CWSD impaired cognitive function and increased anxiety levels and that these behavioral deficits persisted into adulthood. Based on the dorsal-ventral functional division in hippocampus, we employed immediate early gene c-fos immunostaining after behavioral tasks and found that CWSD-induced cognition deficits were associated with dorsal CA3 overactivation and anxiety-like behaviors were associated with ventral CA3 activity reduction. Indeed, chemogenetic activation and inhibition of dorsal CA3 neurons mimicked and reversed CWSD-induced recognition memory deficits (not anxiety-like behaviors), respectively, whereas both inhibition and activation of ventral CA3 neurons increased anxiety-like behaviors in adolescent mice. Finally, chronic administration of vortioxetine (a novel multimodal antidepressant) successfully restored the overactivation of dorsal CA3 neurons and the cognitive deficits in CWSD mice. Together, our findings suggest that dorsal CA3 overactivation mediates CWSD-induced recognition memory deficits in adolescent male mice, shedding light on the pathophysiology of adolescent CWSD-induced adverse effects and providing preclinical evidence for early treatment of stress-induced cognitive deficits.

Relationship between Iron Saturation Indices and Psychiatric Disorders among Persons Seeking Care at Selected Psychiatry Health Facilities in Ghana

Aim: This study investigated the relationship between iron metabolism and psychiatric disorder and whether iron saturation indices could predict disease severity.&#x0D; Study Design: The study was a case-control study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between December 2020 to March 2022 in some selected psychiatric facilities in Ghana.&#x0D; Methodology: Venous blood was collected and serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, transferrin and full blood count were quantified to calculate intraindividual variation and to assess the relationships of these iron saturation indices to severity of psychiatric disorders.&#x0D; Results: Serum iron (38.98±14.55 µmol/L), ferritin (100.23±84.98 ng/mL) and transferrin saturation (44.35±14.6%) were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group with psychiatric disorders compared with the controls (29.25±8.0 µmol/L; 75.25±42.71 ng/mL and 28.66±7.1%). However, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (102.47±15.01 µmol/L), UIBC (73.22±13.12 µmol/L) and transferrin (4.08±0.6 g/L) concentrations were considerably greater in control group than in the case subjects (88.95±19.73 µmol/L; 49.97±18.32 µmol/L and 3.54±0.79 g/L). One unit increase in BMI is associated with 1.27 (aOR=1.27, p&lt;0.001) times risk of psychiatric disorders and males are 6 (aOR=5.87, p&lt;0.005) times at risk of disorders. At a cut off of ≤65.79 µmol/L, UIBC can distinguish psychiatric disorders from controls.&#x0D; Conclusion: Serum iron and transferrin saturation appears to be good prognostic markers of diseases severity but serum iron at cut off of &gt;35.23 µmol/L better classified individuals of severe form of psychiatric disorder.