Elevated C-reactive protein levels in schizophrenia inpatients is associated with aggressive behavior

Abstract

This study identified a potential biological correlate (inflammation) of a specific behavioral endophenotype (aggression) in schizophrenia inpatients.

Association between Elevated C-Reactive Protein and Manic Polarity in Acute Psychiatric Inpatients with Affective Symptomatology

“…We have recently reported an association between elevated CRP and excitement/agitation using the PANSS-EC scale, in non-affective psychotic schizophrenia inpatients from the same inpatient unit [12]. Therefore, we wanted to exclude the possibility that the increased CRP levels may be accounted for by the increased excitement component, which was observed in the manic patients (results section Table 1).…”

“…PANSS score was determined by the patient’s treating psychiatrist following an interview that was conducted within 72 h from admission as a routine practice of the inpatient unit. PANSS excitement component (PANSS-EC) was used as a measure of excitement/agitation [12]. …”

“…The role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of affective disorders has been widely investigated during the last decade, with a growing support regarding a putative link between the two [3, 8-10]. In line with the Research domain Criteria approach for understanding of domains of mental disorders across DSM diagnoses [11], attempts are being made to reveal and characterize the association between inflammation and specific behavioural endophenotypes, like suicidality [4] and excitement/agitation [12]. …”

Modified Mediterranean Diet for Enrichment of Short Chain Fatty Acids: Potential Adjunctive Therapeutic to Target Immune and Metabolic Dysfunction in Schizophrenia?

“…Some research groups have found a positive association between elevated CRP levels and Framingham risk score (Sicras-Mainar et al, 2013), whereas other reports did not observe a significant association (Joseph et al, 2015). In schizophrenia, both CRP and Framingham risk have been linked to higher body mass index (BMI) (Miller et al, 2014; Joseph et al, 2015), psychiatric symptom severity (Barzilay et al, 2016; Dimitrov et al, 2016), and other dysregulated metabolic factors including fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels (Dieset et al, 2012; Joseph et al, 2015). A correlation between CRP levels and routinely prescribed antipsychotic medication treatments has also been observed by some groups (Stefanovic et al, 2015).…”

The relationships between low grade inflammation, demographic and clinical characteristics in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

“…[8][9][10] Inflammation, as a marker for psychopathological symptoms and disorders, is of emerging interest due to recent preclinical and clinical information proposing a significant clinical connection. 11 Information regarding the role of CRP as a low-grade inflammation marker in psychiatric disorders is still contradictory. Nonetheless, a few studies have highlighted the connection between some psychiatric disorders, for example, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and raised CRP levels.…”