Malondialdehyde concentrations in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health condition.
• Oxidative stress, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, is increasingly implicated in psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis investigating serum and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in patients with OCD compared to healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for relevant studies.
• Nine case-control studies (367 cases, 337 controls) were included, with data pooled using random-effects models.

Main Results:

• Patients with OCD exhibited significantly higher MDA levels than healthy controls (SMD = 1.62).
• This finding was consistent across studies reporting MDA in the same units (WMD = 1.93).
• Subgroup analyses by study location and sample size also yielded significant results.

Conclusions:

• Elevated MDA levels in OCD patients suggest a significant role for oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
• These findings warrant further investigation into the pathophysiological mechanisms of OCD.
• Highlights the potential for therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress in OCD treatment.