Antipsychotic treatment has been repeatedly found to be associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether markers of thrombogenesis are increased in psychotic patients who have not yet been treated with antipsychotic medication.

We investigated plasma levels of markers indicating activation of coagulation (D-dimers) and platelets (solubile P-selectin, sP-selectin) in a group of nine men and nine women with acute schizophrenia who had not yet been treated with antipsychotics (age 29.8±9.1 years; body mass index 23.3±5.1), and eighteen healthy volunteers matched for age, gender and body mass index.

D-dimers (median 0.38 vs 0.22 mg/l; P=0.049) as well as sP-selectin (median 195.9 vs 111.9 ng/ml; P=0.008) plasma levels were significantly increased in the group of patients with acute schizophrenia as compared to healthy volunteers.

The results suggest that at least a part of venous thromboembolic events in patients with schizophrenia may rather be induced by pathogenetic mechanisms related to psychosis than caused by antipsychotic treatment. Finding an exact cause of VTE in schizophrenia is necessary for its efficient treatment and prevention. We are aware of the pilot character of our data, and continue to involve more patients and healthy volunteers into the research.