A prospective, longitudinal study of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Although cross sectional studies have evaluated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with bipolar patients (BPAD), data from longitudinal studies are limited.

To assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with BPAD, to observe the change in prevalence rate over a period of 6 months, to assess the prevalence of sub-threshold MetS (i.e., patients fulfilling one or two criteria of MetS) and to compare patients with BPAD and schizophrenia on the above mentioned parameters.

Seventy five patients with BPAD and 53 patients with schizophrenia were initially evaluated for MetS and then followed up for a period of 6 months.

According to consensus definition, prevalence of MetS at baseline was 40% in BPAD group and 32% in schizophrenia group. Over 6 months of follow-up the prevalence of MetS increased by 8% and 9.4% in the BPAD and the schizophrenia groups respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups on any of the assessments. Another 28-32% of patients in the BPAD group also fulfilled two criteria and 13-17% fulfilled at least one criterion of MetS at different points of assessment. Similarly, 19-26% of the patients with schizophrenia met at least two and 23-26% of the patients fulfilled at least one criterion of MetS.

The study was limited by small sample size, inclusion and the relatively short follow-up period.

40% patients with BPAD and 32% with schizophrenia have MetS and the prevalence of MetS increases by 8-9.4% over 6 months.