Frailty-related vulnerability and immune cell profiles in younger adults with schizophrenia: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND

This exploratory study aimed to compare frailty characteristics between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, and to investigate the association between frailty severity and immune-inflammatory markers in individuals with schizophrenia.

METHODS

We recruited 27 community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia (mean age 39.9 ± 7.8 years) and 14 age-matched healthy controls (mean age 37.1 ± 8.4 years). Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Index-Laboratory (FI-Lab), the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Immune-inflammatory markers were analyzed using flow cytometry. Statistical analyses examined group differences and associations with frailty severity.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia showed significantly higher scores on FI-Lab, EFS, and CFS. Several immune cell subsets, including memory (CD45RO+) γ/δ T- Th17 and regulatory γ/δ T- Th cells, were significantly elevated in the schizophrenia group. Within this group, FI-Lab scores were positively associated with memory (CD45RO+) γ/δ T- Tc levels. No significant differences were observed for hs-CRP or homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that younger patients with schizophrenia may exhibit early signs of frailty and altered immune cell profiles. While limited by sample size and cross-sectional design, these findings highlight potential immune correlates of frailty-related vulnerability in this population.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.