Original Research December 6, 2022

Role of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker and Endophenotype in Mania

; ; ; ;

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2022;24(6):21m03194

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a biomarker, trait marker, and endophenotype in mania.

Methods: Forty patients with mania, 40 of their first-degree relatives, and 30 healthy controls were recruited via a purposive sampling method from May 2020 to February 2021. hs-CRP levels were measured in all groups at baseline. The patient group was evaluated with the Young Mania Rating Scale, and hs-CRP levels were assessed in all participants at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.

Results: hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls and first-degree relatives (P = .001). However, hs-CRP levels were not higher in first-degree relatives compared to healthy controls. There was a significant reduction in total YMRS and domain scores and hs-CRP levels in patients at weeks 2 and 6 compared to baseline (P = .02).

Conclusions: The blood hs-CRP level is a biomarker in mania, which may be a newer approach to detect disease progression and perhaps guide novel therapies. hs-CRP as an endophenotype requires further evaluation in future studies.

  1. McNamara RK, Lotrich FE. Elevated immune-inflammatory signaling in mood disorders: a new therapeutic target? Expert Rev Neurother. 2012;12(9):1143–1161. PubMed CrossRef
  2. World Health Organization. Biomarkers in Risk Assessment: Validity and Validation. Environ Health Criteria; 222. WHO website. Accessed October 14, 2022. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42363
  3. Irwin MR, Miller AH. Depressive disorders and immunity: 20 years of progress and discovery. Brain Behav Immun. 2007;21(4):374–383. PubMed CrossRef
  4. Pasic J, Levy WC, Sullivan MD. Cytokines in depression and heart failure. Psychosom Med. 2003;65(2):181–193. PubMed CrossRef
  5. Goldstein BI, Kemp DE, Soczynska JK, et al. Inflammation and the phenomenology, pathophysiology, comorbidity, and treatment of bipolar disorder: a systematic review of the literature. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;70(8):1078–1090. PubMed CrossRef
  6. Maes M. Major depression and activation of the inflammatory response system. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;461(16):25–46. PubMed CrossRef
  7. Dickerson F, Stallings C, Origoni A, et al. Elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein are associated with mania symptoms in outpatients with bipolar disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31(4):952–955. PubMed CrossRef
  8. Knight ML. The application of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein in clinical practice a 2015 update. US Pharm. 2015;40(2):50–53.
  9. Wadee AA, Kuschke RH, Wood LA, et al. Serological observations in patients suffering from acute manic episodes. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2002;17(4):175–179. PubMed CrossRef
  10. Huang TL, Lin FC. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar mania. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007;31(2):370–372. CrossRef
  11. Cunha AB, Andreazza AC, Gomes FA, et al. Investigation of serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels across all mood states in bipolar disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;258(5):300–304. PubMed CrossRef
  12. Gottesman II, Shields J. Genetic theorizing and schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry. 1973;122(566):15–30. PubMed CrossRef
  13. Gottesman II, McGue M. Endophenotype. Encyclopedia Clin Psychol. 2014;12(3):1–8.
  14. De Berardis D, Conti CM, Campanella D, et al. Evaluation of C-reactive protein and total serum cholesterol in adult patients with bipolar disorder. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008;21(2):319–324. PubMed CrossRef
  15. Young RC, Biggs JT, Ziegler VE, et al. A rating scale for mania: reliability, validity and sensitivity. Br J Psychiatry. 1978;133(5):429–435. PubMed CrossRef
  16. World Health Organization. The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines. World Health Organization; 1992.
  17. Howes OD, Lim S, Theologos G, et al. A comprehensive review and model of putative prodromal features of bipolar affective disorder. Psychol Med. 2011;41(8):1567–1577. PubMed CrossRef
  18. Howren MB, Lamkin DM, Suls J. Associations of depression with C-reactive protein, IL-1, and IL-6: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med. 2009;71(2):171–186. PubMed CrossRef
  19. Suarez EC, Lewis JG, Krishnan RR, et al. Enhanced expression of cytokines and chemokines by blood monocytes to in vitro lipopolysaccharide stimulation are associated with hostility and severity of depressive symptoms in healthy women. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(9):1119–1128. PubMed CrossRef
  20. McDowell I. Measuring Health: A Guide to Rating Scales and Questionnaires. USA: Oxford University Press; 2006.
  21. Bali R, Sharma P, Ghanghas P, et al. To compare the efficacy of c-reactive protein and total leucocyte count as markers for monitoring the course of odontogenic space infections. J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2017;16(3):322–327. PubMed CrossRef
  22. Uyanik V, Tuglu C, Gorgulu Y, et al. Assessment of cytokine levels and hs-CRP in bipolar I disorder before and after treatment. Psychiatry Res. 2015;228(3):386–392. PubMed CrossRef
  23. Wysokiński A, Margulska A, Strzelecki D, et al. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with schizophrenia, unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Nord J Psychiatry. 2015;69(5):346–353. PubMed CrossRef
  24. Hope S, Hoseth E, Dieset I, et al. Inflammatory markers are associated with general cognitive abilities in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients and healthy controls. Schizophr Res. 2015;165(2–3):188–194. PubMed CrossRef