Lipid and Glucose Profile across Different Mental Disorders

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychiatry
• Metabolic Disorders
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Severe psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and mood disorders significantly impact patient quality of life.
• Metabolic disturbances, including lipid and glucose abnormalities, are increasingly recognized comorbidities in these populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in lipid profiles (Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels.
• To compare these metabolic parameters in patients during acute episodes of schizophrenia, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, bipolar mania, and bipolar depression.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, cross-sectional study conducted in Jordan from January to November 2023.
• Involved 1187 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or mood disorders attending three psychiatric clinics.
• Data collected on demographic factors and biochemical parameters (TGA, TC, HDL, LDL, FPG).

Main Results:

• Bipolar depression showed the highest average LDL (112.44 ± 36.18 mg/dL) and TC (188.40 ± 37.40 mg/dL) and TGA (149.69 ± 96.95 mg/dL).
• Schizophrenia patients had the highest average HDL (58.76 ± 16.20 mg/dL), while unipolar depression had the highest FPG (94.00 ± 21.45 mg/dL).
• Bipolar mania exhibited the lowest average levels for LDL, TC, TGA, and FPG.

Conclusions:

• Lipid and glucose abnormalities are common in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders.
• Significant variations in metabolic parameters exist across different psychiatric diagnoses during acute episodes.
• These findings underscore the importance of monitoring metabolic health in individuals with severe mental illnesses.