High neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in schizophrenia independent of infectious and metabolic parameters

Immunological and inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in schizophrenia. In the literature, there are studies investigating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) association with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study was to compare NLR values between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. In addition, the study aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR and disease severity and some metabolic/inflammatory parameters.

Fifty-two patients diagnosed with schzophrenia and 53 healthy controls were included in the study. A socio-demographic information form was filled out by the clinician. Height, body weight, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure values of each patient were measured. Severity of disease was assessed by positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and clinical global impression-severity scale (CGI-S). Complete blood count was performed to both patient and control groups. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured.

The number of leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and NLR values in patients with schizophrenia was significantly higher than in the control group. There was no significant relationship between NLR values and the number of hospitalisation, duration of ilness or disease severity in patients. There was no correlation between other laboratory findings and NLR values.

NLR levels are high in schizophrenia independent of metabolic parameters according to the results. So, it can be considered that inflammatory processes may play a role in the etiology of the disease.