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

Abstract

BackgroundUric 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.ResultsA 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).ConclusionsSerum uric acid could be a valuable biomarker in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar, and MDD especially in patients with bipolar disorder.