[Bipolar disorders and metabolic syndrome: a clinical study in 185 patients]

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Italian patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and to determine the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of MetS in this patient population.

185 subjects with BD I, II, NAS, cyclothymic disorder and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar subtype were included. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, lifestyle information (alcohol and smoking habits and rate of physical exercise) and comorbidity for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were collected. Patients were assessed for MetS according to American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria.

MetS was present in 27.9% of the sample. Abdominal obesity was present in 48.9%, hypertension in 53.8%, high triglycerides in 36.6%, low HDL-C levels in 33.3% and fasting hyperglycemia in 11.5% of the sample. Of the investigated variables, age, duration of illness, rate of obesity and cardiovascular disease were higher in patients with MetS. MetS was also associated with the absence of physical activity.

MetS is highly prevalent in Italian patients with BD. Our 27.9% prevalence rate is similar to the rates reported in other European studies and lower than that in US studies. Elderly and obese patients with BD are at particularly high risk for MetS. The absence of physical exercise is also associated to MetS.