Early Repolarization Pattern is Associated with Schizophrenia: A Single Center Experience in Japan

Introduction Recent studies have shown a high frequency of abnormal electrocardiograms in patients with schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to associate schizophrenia diagnoses with early repolarization patterns in a sample of hospitalized patients from a single hospital in Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective age, sex and coronary risk factors matched case-control study on 85 patients with schizophrenia and 89 controls from medical checkups. First, we compared the presence of early repolarization patterns in both groups. Secondly, we elucidated an association between the presence of an early repolarization pattern and clinical findings in the patients’ groups. We also evaluated J-point elevation patterns. Results As a result, we found that both early repolarization patterns and J-point elevation patterns observed were significantly higher in the schizophrenic group than in the matched control group (early repolarization pattern 23;6 P < 0.001; J-point elevation pattern 34:12; P = 0.001). After multivariable logistic regression among the patients and controls, schizophrenia was the independent predictor for early repolarization pattern (P = 0.001) and J-point elevation (P < 0.001). Among the patients, the independent predictor for early repolarization pattern was psychiatric family history (P = 0.006), while older age (P = 0.038) and psychiatric family history (P = 0.014) were predictors for J-point elevation patterns. Conclusion These findings suggest that an association between early repolarization pattern or J-point elevation pattern and schizophrenia in a single Japanese center. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement None ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This retrospective study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the research ethics committee of Jikei University (Approval number: 30-152). All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes N/A