Metabolic syndrome in drug naïve schizophrenic patients

Research in the last decade tried to focus on natural and unnatural causes of death in schizophrenic patients, but recent few years has focussed on emerging cardio-metabolic risk factors, as a cause of mortality in such patients.

To assess the determinant of metabolic syndrome in drug naïve schizophrenic patients.

It was a cross sectional study; 30 indoor patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia were included. Height, weight, waist circumference and Blood pressure assessment was done by using standard protocol. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), Triglyceride (TGs), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) total cholesterol were measured. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria was considered for establishing metabolic syndrome. Statistical analysis was done by using chi square and ANOVA.

Majority of the patients were females; hailing from rural area; unskilled professional; educated up to below primary level; were single and Hindu by religion. Most common metabolic abnormality was low HDL in 76.6%; High TGs in 26.6%; High SBP ≥130mm Hg in 16.67%; DBP>85mm Hg in 13.33%; High FBS 10% of the patients. In risk assessment strongest risk factors for metabolic syndrome were high waist circumference, FBS and TGs. BMI, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL were also observed as a risk factors in drug naïve schizophrenic patients.

HDL, FBS, TGs, waist circumference and BMI are all the strong risk factors for development of metabolic syndrome in drug naïve schizophrenia patients.