platelet count and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as biomarkers in schizophrenia: the implications for therapeutic approaches: a cross-sectional study

There is growing interest in identifying accessible, cost-effective biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. platelet parameters have been suggested as potential biomarkers due to their involvement in serotonin pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress. this article explores their correlation with schizophrenia symptom severity. seventy eight participants participated in this study, consisted of 48 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls. a cross-sectional study was performed between june and november 2024. the participants were divided into two groups, schizophrenia group and control group. platelet parameters (plt, mpv, pdw, pct, and plr) were evaluated using a complete blood count (cbc), while to evaluate schizophrenia symptom was assessed using the positive and negative syndrome scale (panss). correlation tests were used to analyse the relationships between platelet parameters and panss scores. there were no significant differences in gender, age and education between the schizophrenia group and the control group. this study revealed correlations between plt (r= 0.317, p < 0.05) and plr (r= 0.268, p < 0.05) with negative scale symptoms and significant correlations between platelet count (r= 0.393, p < 0.05) and plr (r= 0.562, p <0.05) with panss total score. there were no correlations between mpv, pdw and pct with severity of schizophrenia symptoms. platelet parameters, particularly platelet count and plr may be cost-effective and accessible biomarkers for schizophrenia symptoms severity assessment. anti-coagulant therapy may be a potential therapy for schizophrenia. however, prospective studies are required to strengthen the findings of this study.