Metabolic Syndrome in Dutch Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

To characterize the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Dutch patients with bipolar disorder (BD), identify factors associated with MetS, and estimate the rate of pharmacologic treatment of MetS in this population.

A cross-sectional analysis of medical records of adult patients (≥ 18 years) with BD receiving psychotropic drug treatment was performed in a Dutch psychiatric outpatient setting. MetS was determined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III-Adapted (NCEP ATP III-A) criteria. Data collection via review of medical records from 2015 was conducted in 2016.

The prevalence of MetS in the sample (N = 71) was 42.3%. Multivariate analysis showed sex and body mass index were independently associated with MetS. Males had an almost 8-fold higher risk of MetS than females (OR = 7.7, 95% CI, 1.5-39.6), and with every point of increase on BMI, the risk of MetS increased by 40% (OR = 1.4, 95% CI, 1.2-1.8). Of the patients with hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, 81%, 72.4%, and 65.0%, respectively, did not receive drug treatment for these conditions.

The study found a high prevalence rate of MetS and substantial undertreatment of the components of MetS in patients with BD in a Dutch outpatient clinic. Follow-up investigation in larger samples is warranted.