Test for abnormal niacin response syndrome in schizophrenia: reclaiming the oral route

Introduction: Although there is an abnormal presentation of Niacin Response Syndrome (ANRS) in schizophrenic patients (SZ) compared to subjects with other psychiatric illnesses and with healthy individuals. However, most of the literature is based on studies that have used tests of niacin topical administration, observing, on the other hand, less scientific production of its oral administration. The objective was to determine the sensitivity of the oral niacin test as a method of detecting ASRN in EZ.

Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial was carried out. Two groups were formed, the experimental or SZ, with 21 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR SZ or schizoaffective disorder, and the HC group, made up of 20 healthy controls. Both groups were exposed to an oral niacin test and clinical-semiological tools were applied to evaluate the NRS.

Results: 90.5% of the SZ group presented ANRS. In contrast, no participant in the HC group presented ANRS (0%).

Conclusions: Oral niacin administration was sensitive to the detection of ASRN in schizophrenia. Likewise, ASRN could be a gradual phenomenon and its prevalence could be dose-dependent, being lower the lower the dose of oral niacin used. Further trials with larger and randomized samples will be needed.