Original article

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

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Abstract

Aim: To investigate the differences in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) between patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and healthy controls, and their association with metabolic syndrome (MS) in SSD patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 70 SSD patients and 55 healthy controls. NLR was calculated using absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts (WBC) after obtaining complete blood counts. MS was diagnosed using ATP III criteria, and SSD patients were divided into two subgroups with and without MS.

Results: Patients with SSD had significantly higher total WBC (p = 0.001), as well as neutrophil counts and NLR (both p < 0.001), compared to healthy controls. NLR values were elevated in SSD patients with and without MS, both differ red significantly from healthy controls (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed between the two SSD subgroups. No significant differences in NLR were found among SSD diagnostic categories. Additionally, NLR showed no significant correlation with body mass index (BMI) or any individual components of MS (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that inflammation, as indicated by elevated NLR, is linked to SSD independent of MS.

Keywords: biomarkers, inflammation, leukocytes, psychotic disorders, waist circumference