Purpose: Monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker that is used as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been studied in many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory factors in schizophrenia patients by examining MHR levels and to compare schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in terms of cardiovascular disease risk. Method: A total of 135 participants between the ages of 18–65, 85 diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 50 healthy individuals in the control group were included in this cross-sectional study. Venous blood samples were taken from the participants and CBC parameters and lipid profiles were analyzed. The sociodemographic and clinical data form and positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) were administered to all participants. Results: Although monocyte levels were significantly higher in the patient group, HDL-C levels were lower at significant levels. MHR was found to be higher in the patient group compared to the control group at significant levels. When compared to the control group, total cholesterol, triglyceride, WBC, neutrophil, basophil, and platelet levels were higher in the patient group at significant levels, and RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were significantly lower. Conclusion: The elevated MHR in patients with schizophrenia may contribute to our understanding that inflammation plays important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Additionally, knowing the levels of MHR and considering the recommendations, such as diet and exercise, in the treatment approaches made us think that it might be beneficial in protecting schizophrenia patients against cardiovascular diseases and early death.

In this study, we measured the levels of depression and cognition in people recovering from COVID-19. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and cognition levels by measuring homocysteine concentrations. It included 62 people recovering from COVID-19 (at least 3 months after positive RT-PCR) and 64 people without COVID-19 (control group). At first, the homocysteine levels of participants were measured. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were performed to collect data. Homocysteine levels of the group recovering from COVID-19 (x⁻ = 19.065 µmol/L) were higher than the control group (x⁻ = 11.313 µmol/L). There was no significant difference between the groups for BDI scores. The MoCA scores of the group recovering from COVID-19 (x⁻ = 20.774) were lower than the control group (x⁻ = 24.297). There was a negative high (r = –0.705, p < 0.001) correlation between homocysteine levels and MoCA scores. Linear regression analysis is shown to be significant, and the MoCA explanatory value of the variables in the model is 58.6% (p < 0.0001). A 1 µmol/L observed increase in homocysteine level constituted a risk for a 0.765-point decrease in MOCA scores. In patients recovering from COVID-19, early interventions to high homocysteine levels may prevent cognitive impairments that may persist in the long term.

It has been thought that oxidative damage may occur in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; metallothioneins (MT) have strong antioxidant functions. In this study, we aimed to measure MT-1 levels in schizophrenia patients. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum MT-1 concentrations were measured using the Human Metallothionein-1 ELISA Kit. In addition, Cu and Zn levels were measured. PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) was used to determine the disease severity of patients with schizophrenia. The MT-1 levels of the schizophrenia group were lower than the MT-1 levels of the control group. When the correlation analyses were examined, a positive correlation was found between MT-1 and illness duration and Cu/Zn. A negative correlation was found between MT-1 levels and PANSS total scores and PANSS positive scores. In the regression analysis, it was seen that the decrease in MT-1 levels poses a risk for schizophrenia. It was observed that a decrease of 1 ng/mL in MT-1 levels increased the risk of schizophrenia 1.115 times. The low concentration of MT-1 is likely to cause a deficiency in antioxidant defense in patients with schizophrenia. MT-1 may be a useful biomarker for predicting schizophrenia.

In this study, we aimed to measure the melatonin levels in COVID-19 positive patients and to investigate the relationship of these levels with depression, death anxiety and insomnia. COVID-19 positive pneumonia group, COVID-19 negative pneumonia group and healthy control groups were included in the study. Melatonin ELISA kit was used. Blood samples were taken at 23:00 h (h), 02:00 h and 06:00 h. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were employed to collect data from the participants. The melatonin levels of COVID-19 positive patients at 23:00 h were lower than the control group. In addition, and the melatonin levels of COVID-19 positive patients at 02:00 h and at 06:00 h were lower than both the COVID-19 negative patient group and the control group. It was observed that the peak melatonin concentration of COVID-19 positive patients occurred at 06:00 h. BDI, TDAS and ISI scores of COVID-19 positive patients were higher than other groups. There was a negative correlation between BDI, TDAS, ISI scores of COVID-19 positive patients and their melatonin levels. The correlation between all scale scores and melatonin levels was higher at 02:00 h. Adding melatonin to the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients may be beneficial for these patients experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety and insomnia.

Aim Substance abuse and concomitant infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Yet, the number of epidemiological studies regarding infectious diseases in people with substance abuse are limited in our country. In this study, the aim was to investigate the frequency of illegal alcohol and substance use in an Alcohol and Drug Research, Treatment and Training Centres (AMATEM) clinic in Turkey as well as the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV parameters between the years of 2016-2021. Material and Method HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV tests were conducted using the ELISA technique in 6881 alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD). Urine samples from ASUD’s were analyzed for alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine metabolites. The results were evaluated retrospectively. Results All of the 6881 ASUD’s were male with a mean age of 32.18±9.66 years. Of the 6881 ASUD’s included in the study, 4107 (59.7%) were opioid addicts; 1479 (21.5%) were mixed drug addicts; 897 (13%) were alcohol addicts; and the rest were addicts with other types of substance use. The mean age of the alcohol users was 45.33±13.03 and the mean age of opioid users was 29.90±7.13. The percentage of opioid addiction in 2016 was 71.2% which dropped to 28.7% in 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage of alcohol addiction was 13.6% in 2016 and increased to 21.4% in 2021; and the percentage of mixed drug use was 8.7% in 2016 and increased to 36.8% in 2021. HBsAg-positivity in opioid users (56.7%) was higher compared to cannabis users (2.6%) and mixed drug users (22.3%). Anti-HCV positivity of opioid users (69.4%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.4%), cannabis (2%), and mixed drug (16.2%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HBs positivity of opioid users (63.1%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.9%), cannabis (3%), and mixed drug (21%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HIV was determined negative in all ASUD’s. The highest rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HBs positivity were found in the 26-30 years of age. Conclusion These findings indicate a high prevalence of intravenous substance abuse in the 26-30 years age group in our region as well as the high HBV and HCV rates in this patient group.