RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SCHIZOPHRENIA SEVERITY AND INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKER: NEUTROPHIL/LYMPHOCYTE RATIO, MONOCYTE/LYMPHOCYTE RATIO, PLATELET/LYMPHOCYTE RATIO

Abstract Background Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inflammatory biomarkers. Potential of these inflammatory biomarkers as state marker of schizophrenia severity is controversial. Aims & Objectives This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and schizophrenia severity. Method From January 2010 to June 2020, the medical records of schizophrenia patients admitted to Kosin University Gospel Hospital were retrospectively examined and 91 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected as the subjects of the study. The Korean version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-KV) was used to assess schizophrenia symptom severity and divided into PANSS- KV total score (PANSS-T), PANSS-KV positive syndrome subscale (PANSS-P), PANSS-KV negative syndrome subscale (PANSS-N), PANSS-KV general psychopathology subscale (PANSS-G). Results In 91 subjects, 40 were men and 51 were women. We found no significant relationship between sex, age, number of hospitalization and NLR, MLR, PLR. Patients with higher NLR, MLR, PLR had higher PANSS-T scores. Positive correlation between NLR, MLR, PLR and PANSS-N, PANSS-G was demonstrated. There was no significant correlation between NLR, MLR, PLR and PANSS-P. Discussion & Conclusion We investigate the possibility of inflammatory biomarkers as state markers of schizophrenia symptom severity. A well-designed prospective study involving a larger cohort is needed in the future.