Metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in community mental health center

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) receiving antipsychotic (AP) medications. Methods: A total of 207 patients with schizophrenia and BD, diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria and receiving a regular AP treatment, were followed up in the Community Mental Health Center. The MetS was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Patients with MetS were compared to those without it in terms of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the AP medications administered. Results: MetS was detected in 28.5% of patients. The most commonly identified clinical finding was a large waist circumference (61%). Of the clinical characteristics among the patients using AP, a large waist circumference and high blood glucose levels were found to be significantly different. MetS was found to be more common in patients with schizophrenia on AP who used the clozapine monotherapy (18.6%), and in patients with BD who used quetiapine (11.9%). Valproate was found to be more commonly used in patients with BD in whom MetS was detected. Conclusion: A large waist circumference and high blood glucose levels are the most important follow-up criteria.

Comparison of Metabolic Parameters of the Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Followed by a Community Mental Health Center

“…There are consistent data in the literature on metabolic dysregulation in patients with schizophrenia. Although fewer studies have been conducted on BD patients on this subject, a study found that metabolic syndrome frequency was higher in bipolar patients compared to schizophrenia patients 7 .…”

“…The results of studies comparing bipolar and schizophrenic patients in terms of metabolic parameters differ. Besides there are many studies reporting worse metabolic results in patients with schizophrenia, there are also studies comparing the two diagnostic groups in this respect and demonstrating the metabolic parameters of patients with BD more negatively 7,14,17 . There are many factors that affect metabolic parameters in psychiatric diseases.…”

“…Studies aimed at elucidating its etiology report that increased weight gain, especially due to the use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs, results in the development of dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. Psychosocial factors such as insufficient physical activity, high smoking and unhealthy diet also negatively affect the metabolic parameters of the patients 7 .…”