The Role of Antipsychotic Treatments in Neutrophil/Lymphocyte, Platelet/ Lymphocyte, Monocyte/Lymphocyte, Monocyte/HDL Ratios and Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index Values for Patients with Schizophrenia

Aim: Abnormal systemic inflammatory responses play a significant role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), monocyte-HDL ratio (MHR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) have recently been used as markers of inflammation. Our study aims to examine the relationship between NLR, PLR, MLR, MHR, and SII values of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and antipsychotic treatments. Methods: One hundred ninety-four individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who were followed up in the Psychotic Disorders Polyclinic of the Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, were included in the study. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and monocyte counts, and HDL values were obtained retrospectively from blood tests. NLR, PLR, MLR, MHR, and SII were calculated. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.38±12.67 years. In total, 85 (43.8 %) patients were female. PLR and SII were statistically significantly greater in females than in the male group (p<0.001, p<0.018). Among the patient groups, MHR levels were significantly higher in the male group than in the female group (p<0.003). No significant difference was found between different antipsychotic treatments used in schizophrenia patients in terms of inflammatory markers (p > 0.05). However, a negative correlation was found between paliperidone long-acting injectable treatment duration and NLR and SII (PP-LAI and NLR, r:-0.26, p=0.026; PP-LAI and SII, r=-0.26, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a negative correlation between the duration of paliperidone long-acting injectable treatment and NLR and SII. This suggests that a longer duration of paliperidone long-acting treatment may contribute to a reduction in inflammation. Also, differences were found between genders in PLR, MHR, and SII as a result. It is thought that understanding the gender-based differences and the role of antipsychotic treatments on inflammatory markers may provide a better understanding of schizophrenia pathogenesis and help to find better treatment options.