Schizophrenia and Lupus Erythematosus Discoid: Coincidence or Consequence? an Integrative Inflammatory Hypothesis of Schizophrenia Reviewed.

Abstract

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a chronic syndrome of unknown etiology, predominantly defined by signs of psychosis. Over the years, schizophrenia is speculated to be associated with immune or inflammatory reactions mediated by cytokines. It is proposed that chronic inflammation might damage the micro-vascular system of brain and hamper cerebral blood flow. Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with multiple manifestations in several organs and systems.

Aims and methods

To review the Inflammatory Hypothesis of Schizophrenia though the study of a case report.

Results

We present a case of a 33-years-old with the diagnosis of Lupus Discoid since 17-years-old and with episodic psychotic symptoms developed within 2 years of the diagnosis of the autoimmune disease. He was admitted in our inpatient unit. Neuroimaging and laboratory tests were done in the inpatient unit without significant alterations. He was treated with Olanzapine, Quetiapine and Haloperidol with improvement of the psychotic symptoms and without important side effects. At the time of hospital discharge, psychotic symptoms had almost disappeared and no behavioral disorder was observed.

Conclusions

The comorbility between Schizophrenia and Autoimmune Diseases seems much more common than previously thought. Even when the autoimmune process does not seem to be the direct cause of the psychosis, the inflammatory setting may be considered an important further piece in the puzzle in a genetic-environmental diathesis model.