“Correlation of lipid profile, Homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) with psychopathology and sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic males: a cross-sectional study”

INTRODUCTION –: Several biomarkers have been implicated and studied in schizophrenia with mixed results. AIMS –: To study the correlation between serum lipids, Homocysteine, CRP in patients with schizophrenia. METHODOLOGY -: 37 males diagnosed with schizophrenia as per ICD-10 have been evaluated cross-sectionally. Their serum lipids, Homocysteine and CRP levels were correlated with symptoms severity (assessed on Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia scale) and sexual function (assessed by Arizona Sexual Experience Scale). RESULTS –: Homocysteine was significantly associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia (p < 0.01), serum Homocysteine and CRP were also associated with higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (p < 0.05) while triglycerides levels were associated with general psychopathology symptoms (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION –: These three biomarkers were selected as they have been assessed in the past to evaluate the hypothesis of schizophrenia being a neuro-inflammatory disorder. The findings suggest that alteration in lipid levels may contribute to the severity of psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia, and it may be postulated that homocysteine may accentuate negative signs of schizophrenia, possibly by deteriorating cognitive abilities. CONCLUSION -: Impaired Homocysteine, CRP and serum lipids are implicated to symptoms and sexual problems in schizophrenia.