Serum DHEA-S, Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Female Patients with Schizophrenia

To compare the relation symptom severity and testosterone levels, and DHEA-S and cortisol in premenopausal women with schizophrenia and an age- and sex-matched control group.

Thirty-two women with schizophrenia and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. All participants were aged between 20 and 45 years, and their previous treatments were olanzapine (n=14) and quetiapine (n=18). Symptom severity was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). A chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to investigate hormone profiles of the two groups, which were then compared and analyzed. The relation between the hormone levels and SANS and SAPS scores of the study group and controls was examined.

There were statistically significantly higher levels of serum DHEA-S (p=0.002) in the study group than in the control group. No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups regarding serum testosterone and cortisol levels. A positive correlation was determined between the study groups' SANS scores and DHEA-S levels (p=0.012, r=0.440).

DHEA-S might be a potential biologic marker for schizophrenia because there is evidence of an association between DHEA-S and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, further research with greater patient numbers is required to verify these findings.