J N Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012 Jun;147(1-3):59-62. doi: 10.1007/s12011-011-9295-3. Epub 2011 Dec 8.
Lithium carbonate is used in the treatment of both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between serum lithium, salivary lithium, and urinary lithium. Blood, saliva, and urine samples were collected from 50 patients, and estimation of serum, salivary, and urine lithium was done using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean serum lithium was 0.75 ± 0.25 mEq/L, mean salivary lithium was 1.91 ± 0.80 mEq/L, and mean urine lithium was 7.16 ± 4.84 mEq/L. A significant direct correlation was found between serum lithium and salivary lithium (r = 0.695, p < 0.001). This correlation was higher in females (r = 0.770, p < 0.001) when compared to males (r = 0.665, p < 0.001). Even though a significant correlation was found between serum and salivary lithium levels, more studies are needed in this domain to establish salivary therapeutic monitoring as a feasible option for patients on lithium carbonate therapy.
碳酸锂用于治疗精神和非精神疾病。本研究旨在探讨血清锂、唾液锂和尿锂之间的关系。采集了 50 名患者的血液、唾液和尿液样本，并用原子吸收分光光度计测定血清、唾液和尿锂。血清锂的平均值为 0.75±0.25mEq/L，唾液锂的平均值为 1.91±0.80mEq/L，尿锂的平均值为 7.16±4.84mEq/L。血清锂和唾液锂之间存在显著的直接相关性（r=0.695，p<0.001）。与男性（r=0.665，p<0.001）相比，女性的相关性更高（r=0.770，p<0.001）。尽管血清和唾液锂水平之间存在显著相关性，但在这一领域需要更多的研究来确定唾液治疗监测是否可作为碳酸锂治疗患者的可行选择。
