〔Abstract〕 Objective To explore the difference of serum inflammatory factors in patients with first episode schizophrenia,patients with relapse episode schizophrenia and healthy people,and the correlation between serum inflammatory factors with negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia,so as to provide reference for clinical intervention.Methods A total of 86 patients with first episode schizophrenia(first episode group),80 patients with relapse episode schizophrenia(relapse episode group) and 82 healthy people(control group) were included in the study.The difference of serum inflammatory factors among the three groups and the correlation between serum inflammatory factors with negative symptoms were analyzed.Results There were significant differences in serum interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-16 levels among the three groups(P<0.05).The analysis and comparison between the two groups showed that the serum IL-1β in first episode group was significantly higher than that in relapse episode group and control group(P<0.05),serum IL-16 in first episode group and relapse episode group was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05).Serum IL-1β was negatively correlated with PANSS general psychopathological scale factor score in first episode group(P<0.05),and serum IL-16 was positively correlated with PANSS negative symptom scale factor score in relapse episode group(P<0.05).IL-16 level might be an independent risk factor affecting the onset of first episode group and relapse episode group(P<0.05).Conclusion There are differences in serum levels of IL-1β and IL-16 between patients with schizophrenia and healthy people.Serum IL-16 levels in patients with relapse episode schizophrenia are associated with negative symptoms.IL-16 level may be an independent risk factor for schizophrenia.