ABSTRACT
Introduction: High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a member of the molecular family known as damage-associated molecular patterns, which is implicated to have a role in neuroinflammation processes. In recent years, a growing number of studies have focused on the role of inflammation in Bipolar Disorder (BD). This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of HMGB1 and other inflammatory markers in patients with bipolar manic episodes compared to those in healthy controls (HC). Methods: A single-center, observational, case-control study was conducted. Thirty-five patients with BD in manic episodes and 35 HC were assessed. Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was used to assess the symptom severity of the patient group. While inflammatory markers (such as HMGB1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count) were assessed at the first three and the last day of hospitalization in the patient group, they were evaluated once in HC. Levels of inflammatory markers were compared between (patient-HC) and within groups (before-after treatment). Results: No difference was observed in serum HMGB1 levels of bipolar patients with manic episodes compared to the HC (p>0.05). C-reactive protein levels of manic patients were higher than HC (p<0.001), and the difference persisted even after treatment (p=0.007). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between CRP levels and antipsychotic drug dosage (r=0.382, p=0.024). Conclusion: There were no differences in HMGB1 levels between bipolar patients with acute manic episode and HC. However, higher CRP levels in bipolar patients support the low-grade inflammation hypothesis in the etiology of BD.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess internet, social media, and related technology use in patients with serious mental disorders, and to examine their relationship with disease severity and functionality and gain insight about the thoughts of patients with severe mental disorders on benefits and risks of social media. Methods: The study included 150 patients with bipolar disorder and 150 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (82 with schizophrenia, 56 with psychotic disorders not otherwise specified and 12 with schizoaffective disorder) in remission. Information about demographics, clinical features, the use of social media and related technologies, and opinions on social media use were obtained via a data form prepared by the clinicians. Severity of disease and symptoms were measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Young Mania Rating Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and, the Clinic Global Impression Scale. The Functioning Assessment Short Test was used to evaluate psychosocial functioning. Results: Among the patients who participated in the current study, 65.3% (n=196) reported internet use and, 59.7% (n=179) reported social media use. The Functioning Assessment Short Test total scores and the Clinic Global Impression Scale scores were significantly higher in patients who did not use social media than in those who did. The use of social media, mobile phones, smartphones, short message services (SMS), e-mail was significantly higher in patients with bipolar disorder than in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Conclusion: The use of social media, Internet and mobile devices cannot be underestimated among patients with serious mental disorders.
