[The metabolic syndrome and its components in participants of EUFEST]

The objective of the article is the evaluation of prevalence of the metabolic syndrome--MS and its components in EUFEST research amongst subjects with Polish nationality.

The studied group consisted of 94 patients, aged from 18-40, with the first episode of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorders (DSM-IV) never treated with antipsychotics or not longer than for 2 weeks in the last year and/or for 6 weeks in a lifetime.

Determination of fasting glucose level, HDL-C and TG levels, waist circumference, blood pressure measurement before starting pharmacotherapy. The results were compared with the NATPOL PLUS research results.

MS was found in 1% of the subjects, elevated blood pressure in more than 50% of the subjects, decreased level of HDL-C (33%) and elevated TG level (15%), in almost 50% of the subjects, waist circumference was elevated in 6.4%, elevated GLUC level in 3% subjects. 31% of the subjects had no risk factors of MS, 34.3% presented one risk factor, 27.7 % -two, 5.3%- three, 1%- four risk factors. Elevated blood pressure and decreased level of HDL-C or elevated TG level- were the most frequent risk factors in a group with 2 risk factors. Decreased level of HDL-C was always observed in groups with more than 3 risk factors. There were no significant correlation between risk factors and sex, socioeconomic status, demographic data, neuropsychological tests and clinical state examination results. Comparing EUFEST research results with NATPOL PLUS research results, no significant difference in prevalence of MS, while using the same criteria of diagnosis (NCEPATP III 2001) was found. Occurrence of the MS and more than 2 risk factors found in more than 1/3rd of the subjects, indicates a necessity of evaluation of MS risk factors before starting treatment, careful selection of adequate antipsychotics, as well as waist circumference and laboratory parameters monitoring during pharmacotherapy.