Neutrophils Are Decreased in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Preliminary Investigation

Abstract

ObjectiveThere has been no study in the literature evaluating total blood count in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, we performed the present study to spesifically measure serum total blood count particularly white blood cells to see whether or not its eventual alterations might have an etiopathogenetic significance in patients with OCD.MethodsTotal blood count was measured in thirty patients and same number of healthy controls. Additionally, all patients were assessed by Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale (Y-BOCS).ResultsExcept for neutrophil count, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding any haematological parameter. The mean neutrophil count of the patient group was lower compared to that of the control subjects.ConclusionIn conclusion, the present study suggests that neutrophil count is reduced in pure OCD patients and this finding may contribute to the role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of OCD.

Simple Peripheral Markers for Inflammation in Drug-Naive, Comorbidity-Free Adolescents with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

“…In the study evaluating hemogram parameters in adults with OCD, Atmaca et al reported that there were no significant differences between groups regarding hemogram parameters except neutrophil count. In this study, there was no difference between lymphocyte counts while neutrophil counts were low (33). In the study of Denny et al, there was no significant difference in hemogram parameters of OCD patients when compared to controls.…”

“…Inflammation plays a critical role in OCD etiology (10)(11)(12). HPA axis disorders, various cytokines, and cellular elements were investigated in various studies in this field (33,37). In the study investigating the HPA axis, Gustafsson et al showed a similar hypercortisolism in child and adolescent populations as previously demonstrated in adult OCD patients (23).…”

“…The results of our study showed that RDW was significantly lower in the patient group, consistent with previous studies indicating that the immunity might be suppressed NLR, PLR, and MPV are the prominent hemogram parameters to assess inflammation in psychiatric disorders. In the study evaluating hemogram parameters in adults with OCD, Atmaca et al reported that there were no significant differences between groups regarding hemogram parameters except neutrophil count (33). In a study conducted in patients with adolescent depression, while only NLR in the patient group was significantly higher than the control group, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding PLR and MPV (43).…”

“…Basic points in the investigation of these parameters are based on the ease of use and economical in daily practice. In the studies conducted on this subject, it is seen that there is only one study evaluating hemogram parameters in adult OCD patients (33). There is no study evaluating hemogram parameters in adolescents with OCD in terms of inflammation in the literature.…”

Mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio decrease in patients with depression with antidepressant treatment

“…NLR increased similarly as in depression but MPV decreased and these findings may reflect inflammation and role of inflammation in the complex pathophysiology of acute mania 21 . As a different psychiatric disorder group neutrophils were found to be decreased in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in a study comparing CBC parameters between patients with OCD and healthy controls 24 .…”