Homeostasis Model Assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in First Episode Psychosis

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common in chronic psychosis but also exists in the early stages. HOMA-IR is an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases and has already been described in first episode of psychosis. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether HOMA levels differ according to MetS at each time assessment over 2 years. METHODS: MetS and HOMA levels are determined at baseline and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months in a sample of 50 patients participating in the PEPsNa Early Intervention Programme during two years of follow-up. Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria are used to define MetS. Insulin resistance measured with the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) is computed with the formula fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) times fasting insulin (mIU/mL) divided by 405. Mann-Whitney U Test are used to compare HOMA variable according to presence of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The results showed that HOMA levels differed statistically significantly between patients who met MetS criteria and those who did not at 12 (p<0.046) and 24 (p<0.004) months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Given the small sample size the results of our study indicate that there is a sustained relationship over time between HOMA levels and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and that the HOMA IR may be useful in identifying those patients with an increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.