The differences in serum C1q levels between first-episode patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at exploring the changes of serum complement C1q levels in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) using a cross-sectional design, and the differences between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and BD. Moreover, the correlation between complement C1q and bech-rafaelsdn mania rating scales (BRMS) in patients with MDD and BD was assessed.

METHODS

Serum complement C1q levels were measured by ADVIA 2400 biochemical analyser in 104 patients with MDD, 71 patients with BD type I and 42 patients with BD type II diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical of Mental Disorder 5 (DSM-5). Then simple and multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted between the level of serum C1q and BRMS among patients with BD.

RESULTS

The serum complement C1q levels were higher in BD type I than BD type II (P < 0.001); Serum complement C1q levels were higher in MDD than BD type II (P < 0.001). We discovered that there was a positive correlation relationship between serum complement C1q levels and BRMS in BD type I (r = 0.756, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We confirmed that serum complement C1q levels were higher in patients with BD type II than in MDD patients. These current results support the view that the complement C1q may play an important role in the pathophysiology of BD. Serum complement C1q was strongly associated with BD and is worth investigating in future studies.