Inflammatory markers at baseline correlate with subsequent clinical response to quetiapine in patients with bipolar disorder

Objectives Recent studies proposed the existence of a correlation between patients' inflammatory status and therapy response in bipolar disorder (BD). Here we investigated the correlation between levels of inflammatory markers and quetiapine (QUE) effects in BD patients. Methods In 15 hospitalised BD patients, we investigated changes in inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and cytokines after a 6-week treatment with QUE monotherapy. Results We found QUE treatment to significantly reduce CRP and IL-6 plasma levels. Moreover, we found higher CRP and IL-6 plasma levels at baseline correlated with better improvement of patients' clinical symptoms. Conclusion The reported results, although preliminary, could be useful in clinical practice, providing not only markers for QUE response, but also allowing for identification of new targets and new therapies for the treatment of this condition.

Automated summary

This study investigated the correlation between levels of inflammatory markers and the effects of quetiapine (QUE) in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. The results showed that QUE treatment significantly reduced CRP and IL-6 plasma levels. Furthermore, higher CRP and IL-6 plasma levels at baseline were correlated with better improvement of patients' clinical symptoms.