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A population-based study of atopic disorders and inflammatory markers in childhood before psychotic experiences in

Golam M Khandaker1, Stanley Zammit2, Glyn Lewis3

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Mental Health, Addiction and Suicide Research, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK.

Schizophrenia Research
|November 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Childhood atopic disorders like asthma and eczema are linked to a higher risk of adolescent psychotic experiences. However, inflammatory markers did not mediate this association, suggesting other pathways may be involved.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Schizophrenia is linked to atopy and elevated inflammatory markers.
  • Childhood atopic disorders may influence later mental health outcomes.
  • Understanding early risk factors for psychotic experiences is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood atopic disorders and subsequent psychotic experiences (PEs).
  • To examine the role of serum inflammatory markers, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), in this relationship.
  • To determine if inflammatory markers mediate the link between atopy and PEs.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based longitudinal study design.
  • Assessment of PEs at age 13 in 6785 children.
  • Determination of childhood atopic disorders (asthma, eczema) at age 10 in 7814 children.
  • Measurement of serum IL-6 and CRP at age 9 in 5076 children.
  • Logistic and linear regression analyses controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 14% had asthma, 12% eczema, and 7% both at age 10.
  • Children with atopic disorders had an increased risk of PEs at age 13 (ORs ranging from 1.33 to 1.44).
  • Atopy was associated with higher IL-6 and CRP, but these markers did not mediate the atopy-PEs association.
  • Inflammatory markers were not directly associated with later PEs.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood atopic disorders are associated with an increased risk of adolescent psychotic experiences.
  • The inflammatory pathway (IL-6, CRP) does not appear to mediate this association.
  • Further research is needed to explore other mechanisms linking atopy to PEs and their developmental trajectories.
Abstract

Keywords:
95% confidence intervalALSPACAdolescenceAsthmaAtopic disordersBirth cohortC-reactive proteinCICRPChildhoodCytokineEczemaIL-6ImmunityInflammatory markersORPEsProspective studyPsychotic experiencesPsychotic symptomsSchizophreniainterleukin 6odds ratio, 95%psychotic experiences

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