It is quite puzzling why the relative arrest rates (Black:White) increase so dramatically. Are African Americans less likely than Whites to access the legal retail market for some reason?
If I understand this correctly, it seems that the authors propose that measuring trace elements would help with the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. However, anxiety is a condition perceived by the patient, and does not require confirmation by biological analysis of serum elements. Also, the abstract notes that "most of the patients were in the lower middle class group and middle-aged," but does not indicate whether this was both the patient and the control subjects. Finally, the abstract does not state where, geographically, this study was done.
An interesting study, but the abstract has some confusing wording; for example, "Systemic inflammation is associated with both the dietary intake of magnesium, and depression. Limited experimental and clinical data suggest an association between magnesium and depression" sounds as though the authors expected a positive association, whereas they probably expected (and did find) an inverse relationship.
Excellent analysis! While prospective registration is an important first step in scientific accountability, without follow-up, it may become meaningless.
Some years ago, the NIH sponsored a campaign to encourage patients to share information about their use of CAM with their health care providers (https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/tips-start-talking-with-your-health-care-providers-about-complementary-health-approaches). However, it would likely be equally important to encourage health care providers to listen attentively.
This is a nicely written abstract, and findings that should be noted by organizations that develop clinical practice guidelines. It could have been improved by including more about the methods than the data synthesis approach; in particular it would be helpful to know what practices they considered to be CAM.
Funding