Saliva for monitoring of patients with primary affective disorders

The salivary composition and flow rate of 78 patients with primary affective disorders and of 49 healthy volunteers were examined. The former were divided into two groups: Group 1--57 patients receiving lithium carbonate and psychoactive drugs, and Group 2--21 patients receiving psychoactive drugs only. A significant correlation between salivary and serum lithium was found in patients on chronic lithium therapy. Significantly reduced salivary flow rates and elevated potassium, calcium, magnesium and IgA concentrations were found in all the patients as compared with those of the healthy volunteers. Salivary sodium concentrations were significantly elevated in patients on lithium carbonate as compared with the levels in patients on psychoactive drugs only. These results indicate that changes in salivary gland function may occur in patients with primary affective disorders and in those receiving drug treatment. The use of saliva analysis for monitoring lithium dosage is recommended.