Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in a psychiatric population: A preliminary study

No significant difference in the incidence of G6PD deficiency in unipolars, bipolars, schizophrenics, and normal controls was found. There was a trend for an increased incidence of G6PD deficiency in bipolar patients and in black patients, particularly females. Thus, it is interesting to note that among black female bipolars three of eight (37.5%) are G6PD-deficient as compared to the incidence in the general population of 10%. This is particularly noteworthy since females have to be homozygotic to exhibit the deficiency (the enzyme being inherited as recessive X-linked). It is necessary to establish this association in an independent sample.