Creatine kinase (CK) and its association with aggressive behavior in patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the serum creatine kinase (CK) level and aggressive behavior in patients with schizophrenia.

METHOD: This retrospective study recruited 2780 Chinese patients with schizophrenia from January 2009 to December 2013 at the psychiatric inpatient units of West China Hospital. The diagnosis was made according to the DSM-IV criteria. The serum level of CK was checked.

RESULTS: Aggressive behavior was positively correlated with the serum CK level (r=0.262, p=0.000). The OR value is 8.084 when comparing the high CK group and normal CK group prior to admission. The aggressive behavior rate in the 5 times group (serum level≥1130U/L) after admission (28.2%) is higher than the rate prior to admission (16.5%).

CONCLUSION: The aggressive patients with schizophrenia displayed increased serum CK level. It may be useful to include a lab test of CK level in patients with schizophrenia and history of aggression. It would help the staff to take precautions to protect the patients and others.