Relationship between serum homocysteine and Vitamin D with positive, negative and extrapyramidal symptom domain in Schizophrenia: Case-control study in Iran

Background: Schizophrenia is a devastating condition characterized by recurrent recurrences, cognitive decline, emotional and functional disabilities. This condition includes positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairment that are very resistant to drug treatment. According to studies, many biomarkers can affect this disorder. However, there is little information about vitamin D and homocysteine levels in patients with disease complications. In the current study, we aimed to investigate this relationship in schizophrenia Method: This is a case-control study. Thirty-three patients with schizophrenia and 33 healthy individuals from north of Iran-Golestan in 2021 were analyzed. Blood samples were taken from all participants to assess serum levels of vitamin D and homocysteine. In addition, schizophrenic patients completed the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Simpson-Angus Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale (SAS) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS 16 software. Results: : Of the 66 participants, 66.7% had vitamin D deficiency, and 71.2% had normal homocysteine levels. However, the serum level of vitamin D in schizophrenic patients was lower than in controls ( p = 0.035) and serum homocysteine ​​levels were higher in the schizophrenic group than in the control group ( p <0.001). Vitamin D levels in patients with schizophrenia were significantly correlated with the overall assessment of extrapyramidal symptoms (r= 0.35, p =0.04). The data obtained did not show a significant relationship between vitamin D and homocysteine ​​levels and PANSS test results ( p = 0.3 and 0.8). Conclusion: Serum levels of vitamin D and homocysteine in schizophrenic patients were significantly lower and higher than in the control group, respectively. Improvement of extrapyramidal symptoms in schizophrenic patients has a direct and significant relationship with serum vitamin D.