Hikikomori refers to a situation in which people avoid social participation such as schooling and working and stay at home for more than half a year.The number of hikikomori is over 15 even if they are 39 to 50 years old, and it is a national urgent task to overcome this in Japan, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging.

　In previous studies, the group found that many withdrawals also had mental illness (especially avoidant personality disorder).In recent years, the biological basis of many psychiatric disorders has been elucidated, suggesting biological effects on hikikomori.Therefore, in order to explore the biological basis related to hikikomori, we compared the blood substances of hikikomori and non-hikikomori and analyzed the correlation with behavioral characteristics in interpersonal relationships.

　As a result, male hikikomori had significantly lower uric acid levels than healthy subjects, and those with lower HDL cholesterol levels had a tendency to avoid hikikomori.Conversely, it was found that those with higher uric acid and HDL cholesterol levels tended to take cooperative actions based on the trust of the other party.

　Even female hikikomori had significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels than healthy individuals.In addition, the higher the value of high-sensitivity CRP, the less likely to trust the other party, and the higher the value of FDP (fibrin degradation product), the more the tendency to avoid withdrawal.
This study is the first report to suggest that biological factors such as low levels of uric acid / HDL cholesterol in blood and high levels of sensitive CRP / FDP may be associated with withdrawal tendency in addition to psychosocial aspects. rice field.In the future, it is expected to contribute to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of hikikomori and the development of preventive and therapeutic methods for hikikomori.

Paper information:[Scientific Reports] Blood biomarkers of Hikikomori, a severe social withdrawal syndrome