Evaluation of CRH, ACTH, Cortisol, and Chromogranin Levels in the Acute Stage of Schizophrenia

<b>Objective:</b> This study investigated the relationship between corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones, chromogranin (CgA), and the acute stage of schizophrenia.<b>Methods:</b> Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5) were included in the study. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Stroop Test, Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and Wechsler Memory Scale III Visual Reproduction Subtest (WMS III-VRS) were implemented to the patient on the days 1 and 20 of their hospitalization. Blood samples were taken on days 1 and 20 from each patient at 8 AM. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, CRH, and CgA serum levels were measured.<b>Results:</b> The CRH levels were significantly higher on day 20 than day 1 (<i>P</i>=0.007, t=-2.8). A positive correlation was found between cortisol level and PANSS General (r=0.325; <i>P</i>=0.046) and immediate WMS III- VRS (r=0.424; <i>P</i>=0.008). CgA change between the day 1 and day 20 negatively correlated with the sum of previous psychiatric hospitalization days (r=-0.344, <i>P</i>=0.034). Day 1 ACTH levels were negatively correlated with the sum of previous psychiatric hospitalization days (r=-0.365, <i>P</i>=0.024) and the hospitalization number (r=-0.415, <i>P</i>=0.01).<b>Conclusion:</b> HPA axis hormones measured in the acute phase of schizophrenia can give an idea about the severity of the disease and visual memory functions. However, studies with more subjects and controlling confounders are needed.