Association of levels of c-reactive protein with positive and negative syndrome scale among patients with schizophrenia

The research was done to explore the "association of levels of CRP with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Score (PANSS) among patients of schizophrenia.This Cross-Sectional study comprised of a sample of 310 pre-diagnosed patients with Schizophrenia (diagnosed by psychiatrist as per the DSM V Criteria) of both gender with age range between 18 and 60 years with more than 6 months duration of illness.Patients were taken from Inpatient and Outpatient Department of Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry, Hyderabad, chosen via non-probability consecutive sampling.An anonymous self-structured proforma which contained questions related to basic personal details, and particulars of disease (duration of illness and family history) and PANSS.Range of age in total patients in sample (n= 310) was 18-60 years with mean range of 32.88±8.29 years.The mean PANSS Score was found to be 57.08 ± 11.88.The General Psychopathology Scale Score was found to be 15.16 ± 5.62.The Positive Scale Score was 12.50 ± 3.65 while Negative Scale Score was found to be 29.42 ± 9.62.Raised CRP levels were significantly associated with Negative Symptoms Scale Score.The results of our research study suggest that there is a positive association of raised CRP levels with negative symptoms scales scores of schizophrenia.Future research studies are the need of the time to explore the relationship of inflammation in schizophrenia patients.