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The Relationship of Fatigue and Depression with Trace Element Levels in Epileptic Patients

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Abstract

In this study, it was investigated whether there are trace element abnormalities in epileptic patients, the relationship of trace elements with fatigue and depression, and whether trace elements contribute to the development of fatigue and depression. A total of 87 people, 48 epileptic cases and 39 controls, were included in our study. Trace element levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) were measured in a single session on the study day by the same team. Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Mood State Scale, and SF-36 Quality of Life scales were administered to all participants by the same person. The results were compared statistically. Depression rate was found as 35.4% and fatigue rate was 45.8% in epileptics. Se, Cu, and Mn levels were significantly higher in epileptics (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in Zn and Pb levels (p > 0.05). In the study, a moderate positive correlation was found between fatigue and depression (r = 0.346, p = 0.016). Fatigue severity scale (FSS) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores were found to be significantly higher in epileptics (p < 0.05). Total mood scale (TMS) mean score was compared between patient and control groups, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.005). It was observed that fatigue and depression are more common in epileptics, and there may be abnormalities in trace element plasma levels in epileptics, and it was determined that trace elements did not show a significant difference between those with and without fatigue and depression, and trace elements did not show a significant correlation with fatigue and depression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology Department, Medicine Faculty Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey

    Ayşe Gündoğdu MD

  2. Neurology Department, Medicine Faculty, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey

    Ömer Faruk Bolattürk MD

  3. Neurology Department, Medicine Faculty, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Recep Aygül MD

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Fikret Akyürek MD

Authors
  1. Ayşe Gündoğdu MD
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  2. Ömer Faruk Bolattürk MD
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  3. Recep Aygül MD
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  4. Fikret Akyürek MD
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Correspondence to Ömer Faruk Bolattürk MD.

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Gündoğdu, A., Bolattürk, Ö.F., Aygül, R. et al. The Relationship of Fatigue and Depression with Trace Element Levels in Epileptic Patients. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 1135–1142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03258-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03258-8

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