Association of Trace Metals in Patients with Schizophrenia

To compare the serum concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in schizophrenic patients with healthy individuals.

Cross-sectional comparison study.

Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The study was conducted from July to December 2020.

Among 115 participants in the study, schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects were 35 and 80, respectively. Copper and zinc were measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum Iron measurement was done on ADVIA 1800 chemistry auto analyser. Comparison of these trace metals among patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects, by using Mann-Whitney U-test and correlation with the duration of disease, was analysed by the application of Spearman's correlation.

Males accounted for 25 (71.4%) and females were 10 (28.6%) in diseased group; while in healthy subjects, males accounted for 54 (67.5%) and females 26 (32.5%). Copper, iron and zinc levels were noted to be significantly reduced in schizophrenic patients, when compared with healthy subjects (p <0.001).

This study could offer an additional clue in the diagnosis and possible role of trace metals in pathophysiology and progression of many psychiatric illnesses, particularly schizophrenia. Key Words: Psychiatric illness, Schizophrenia, Trace metals.