Prolactin levels and agressive behaviour in men with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction Recent studies find a high level of prolactin in naive patients with consequences on their behavior. These results have shed light on new etiopathogenic avenues in schizophrenia and suggested new preventive approaches. Objectives The objective of our work was to investigate the links that may involve prolactin levels to agressive behavior in patients followed for antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia or in therapeutic discontinuation. Methods We conducted a one-year descriptive and cross-sectional study of thirty male patients hospitalized for a treatment-naïve psychotic relapse or who had been discontinued for more than two months. These patients were assessed using a questionnaire as well as the Overt Agression Scale (OAS). A blood sample was taken to specify the prolactin level. Results Eleven patients were aggressive (37%). Seven patients (23%) had hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia was also inversely associated with aggression since inversely significant correlations were objectified for prolactinemia and respectively the OAS score and the verbal aggression subscore (Rho=-0.391 ; p=0.033) and (p=0.016, Rho=-0.438). The score of aggressiveness towards others also evolved inversely to the prolactin level with a p close to significance (p =0.056). Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis of a probable action of prolactin as a protective factor against aggression. High prolactin levels may therefore represent a diagnostic lead for a particular profile of a certain patient group with a particular course. However, this subject is still unresolved in the literature and future studies seem necessary. Disclosure of Interest None Declared