Change in prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder

To evaluate the change in prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) over a long duration of follow up and to evaluate the factors associated with MetS in patients with BD.

59 patients with BD, for whom details of the previous assessment of MetS were available, were evaluated for MetS at follow-up. MetS was diagnosed as per the consensus criteria.

At the baseline, 54.2% (N = 32) of patients fulfilled the criteria for MetS, and after the mean follow-up duration of 62.1 (SD-55.3) months, the prevalence of MetS increased to 66.1% (N = 39). Raised waist circumference was the most common abnormality at both the assessments. At baseline, the second most common abnormality was abnormal triglyceride levels, and this was followed by low high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, raised fasting blood glucose levels and abnormal blood pressure. Whereas, at follow-up assessment, the second most common abnormality was raised fasting blood glucose levels and it was followed by raised blood pressure level, followed by, abnormal triglyceride levels, and this was followed by low HDL levels.

The present study suggests that over a mean period of about 5 years, there is increase in the prevalence of MetS among patients with BD. Accordingly, there is a need to periodically monitor the metabolic parameter of patients with BD and interventions must be started for the same at the earliest.