Evaluation of serum iron overload, AST:ALT ratio and log10ferritin:AST ratio among schizophrenia patients in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana: a case-control study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:The association between unbalanced iron indices and the conditions of schizophrenia are not well understood. Liver dysfunction which has been linked to iron metabolism might be a contributing factor. This case-control study evaluated serum iron indices and liver function in treatment-naïve schizophrenia patients and those already on treatment at the Psychiatric Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. RESULTS:The mean age of the respondents was 39.6?±?0.8 years. Increased levels of serum iron, TS, AST, ALT and AST:ALT ratio and lower levels of UIBC, TIBC, Transferrin, and log Ferritin:AST ratio levels were observed among the treatment-naïve group compared to the control. The treatment-naïve and treatment groups showed significantly higher serum AST:ALT ratio, and lower log10ferrtin:AST ratio than the healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between log10ferritin and AST, and log10ferritin and GGT in both treatments (r?=?0.343; p?=?0.003, and r?=?0.502; p?=?0.001 respectively) and treatment-naïve groups (r?=?0.348; p?=?0.002, and r?=?0.614; p?

SUBMITTER: Owiredu WKBA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6909526 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature