Objective: Some authors have suggested that abnormalities in electrolyte metabolism can cause mood disorders. A few studies have demonstrated relationships between the metabolism of electrolytes and affective symptoms. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is any relationship between serum sodium levels and depression.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 42 patients with depressive disorders who were consecutively admitted to the inpatient psychiatric service and 34 healthy control subjects. In the patients group, thirty-five patients (83.3%) had major depression, three (7.1%) had psychotic depression, three (7.1%) had catatonic depression and one (2.3%) had seasonal depression. The serum sodium and serum creatinine levels were measured in a blood sample before eating anything in the morning. Urine sodium, urine creatinine and density of urine were studied in the first morning spot urine sample.
Results: Patients with depression had significantly lower serum sodium than healthy control subjects (p=0.04). No significant differences between the groups in terms of plasma creatinine, urine sodium, urine creatinine and density of urine.
Conclusions: The present study suggest that there might be a relationship between serum sodium levels and depression.
Key words: electrolyte imbalances, affective disorders, sodium, depression
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