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Minor physical anomalies may be related to treatment resistance in patients with schizophrenia

Can Uğurpala1, Ertuğ Berberoğlu2, Utku Özkan3

  • 1Vezirkopru State Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Samsun, Turkey.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Minor physical anomalies (MPA) may indicate treatment resistance in schizophrenia (TRS). Higher MPA scores, particularly in the eye and mouth regions, were observed in TRS patients, suggesting a potential link to treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Medical Genetics
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with varying treatment responses.
  • Minor physical anomalies (MPA) are subtle physical characteristics that have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • The relationship between MPA and treatment resistance in schizophrenia (TRS) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between minor physical anomalies (MPA) and treatment resistance in schizophrenia (TRS).
  • To identify specific MPA patterns or locations linked to treatment resistance.
  • To explore the correlation between MPA scores and symptom severity in TRS.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 137 schizophrenia patients and 100 healthy controls were evaluated.
  • The modified Waldrup MPA scale was utilized to assess the presence and severity of MPAs.
  • Patients were categorized into treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and non-TRS groups for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • Thirteen specific MPA items were found more frequently in the schizophrenia group compared to controls.
  • Patients with TRS exhibited significantly higher total MPA scores than non-TRS patients.
  • MPAs in the eye and mouth regions were more prevalent in the TRS group (n=57).
  • Total MPA scores showed a positive correlation with total and positive symptom scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Expanded (BPRS-E) in TRS patients.

Conclusions:

  • Minor physical anomalies may serve as a potential indicator or contributing factor to treatment resistance in schizophrenia.
  • Specific MPA patterns, particularly in the craniofacial region, might be associated with poorer treatment outcomes in schizophrenia.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms connecting MPA and TRS.
Keywords:
Clozapine-resistanceMinor Physical AnomaliesSchizophreniaTreatment resistance

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