Homocysteine level, body mass index and clinical correlates in Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Obesity is common comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia. Previous studies have reported that homocysteine (Hcy) is increased in schizophrenia. However, no study has reported the association between BMI and Hcy levels in schizophrenia. This cross-sectional naturalistic study aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMI, Hcy and clinical symptoms in Chinese Han patients with chronic schizophrenia. Clinical and anthropometric data as well as plasma Hcy level and glycolipid parameters were collected. Psychopathology was measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Our results showed that compared with the low BMI group, the high BMI group had a higher PANSS general psychopathology subscore, higher levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (all p < 0.05). Hcy levels were negatively associated with BMI in patients (p < 0.001). Hcy level, the PANSS general psychopathology subscale, total cholesterol and education (all p < 0.05) were the influencing factors of high BMI. Our study suggest that Hcy level may be associated with BMI in patients with schizophrenia. Moreover, patients with high BMI show more severe clinical symptoms and higher glucose and lipid levels.

Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Cognitive Deficits in Han Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia across Age Groups

“…The inconsistent results for this association are unclear. One possible reason may be due to the differences in subjects who had suffered from different diseases, BMIs, regions of residence, races, dietary habits, genetic backgrounds or courses of illness [21][22][23][24] ; for example, the subjects in the present study were inpatients, and most had suffered from schizophrenia for a long time.…”

Association between plasma homocysteine levels and cognitive deficits in Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia across age groups

“…The inconsistent results for this association are unclear. One possible reason may be due to the differences in subjects who had suffered from different diseases, BMIs, regions of residence, races, dietary habits, genetic backgrounds or courses of illness 19 – 22 ; for example, the subjects in the present study were inpatients, and most had suffered from schizophrenia for a long time.…”

Towards Tailored Gut Microbiome-Based and Dietary Interventions for Promoting the Development and Maintenance of a Healthy Brain

“…Specifically, folic acid (vitamin B9), piroxidine (vitamin B6), and cobalamine (vitamin B12) deficiencies have been reported common in SZ patients. Total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level is considered as a sensitive measure of these deficiencies and elevated Hcy levels have been widely associated with the etiology of numerous health impairments, especially cardiovascular diseases and several mental health disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and SZ ( 164 ) and some studies have reported a positive correlation between Hcy levels and SZ illness severity ( 165 ).…”