Association of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-17 levels with obsessive–compulsive disorder: a case–control study findings

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental condition that affects many people and is characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions. It significantly impacts individuals’ ability to function ordinarily daily, affecting people of all ages. This study aimed to investigate whether or not the cytokines granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) are involved in the pathophysiology of OCD. A case–control study with 50 OCD patients and 38 healthy volunteers served as the controls for this investigation. The levels of GM-CSF and IL-17 in the serum of both groups were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. In addition, the sociodemographic characteristics of the population under study were studied. Based on the findings of this study, OCD patients had significantly elevated levels of IL-17 than the controls, it appears that there may be a function for IL-17 in the pathophysiology of OCD. It was also discovered that the severity of OCD and IL-17 levels had a significant positive correlation. On the other hand, when comparing the levels of GM-CSF, there was no significant difference between the patients and the controls. This study provides evidence supporting the involvement of cytokine IL-17 in the pathophysiology of OCD. This study suggests IL-17 as a diagnostic biomarker for OCD and adds to our knowledge of the function that the immune system plays in this condition.