Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotic medications

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in schizophrenic patients in a 6-month period of treatment with antipsychotic medications. METHODS: In this study, 60 volunteer schizophrenic patients were included. At the onset and 6 months after treatment with antipsychotic medications, fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were determined. We defined Mets according to ATPIII criteria. RESULTS: After a 6-month treatment with antipsychotic drugs, the mean WC, serum TG, HDL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased but the changes of WC and HDL were statistically significant (p<0.05). We found that the percentage of patients with high WC, low HDL levels, and Mets increased after treatment which was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that nutritional and lifestyle changes intervention should be implanted for schizophrenic patients undergoing treatment.