Exploring the role of serum uric acid as a biomarker in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and major depressive disorder

Abstract

Abstract Background Uric acid plays a pivotal role in the regulation of mood and behavior. The study aimed to elucidate the role of serum uric acid as a biomarker in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) and to examine its relation to symptom domains and severity of illness. Results A total of 150 participants with schizophrenia, BAD, and MDD and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Patients were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Diagnosis (SCID-I), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was applied to healthy controls. Then, a blood draw from all participants was performed to measure serum uric acid level. According to this study, there was a statistically significant difference between patients with schizophrenia, BAD, MDD, and healthy controls, with regard to serum uric acid level (P = 0.007). On correlating symptom domains and severity of schizophrenia, bipolar, and MDD with serum uric acid level, there was only a statistically significant negative correlation between YMRS and serum uric acid level (P = 0.022). Conclusions Serum uric acid could be a valuable biomarker in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar, and MDD especially in patients with bipolar disorder.

Keywords

• Serum uric acid
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar
• Major depressive disorder
• Biomarker
• Purinergic pathway