Risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia: Comparative study with population of bank employees in Russia

Abstract

Aim: This study is dedicated to evaluation of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with schizophrenia in Russia. Methods: 138 patients with schizophrenia who received antipsychotic medication and 138 mental healthy subjects from 1,561 bank employees cohort matched to schizophrenic patients by sex, age and body mass index were enrolled to the study. Fasting blood plasma levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, Cortisol, prolactin concentrations were determined. Results: In comparison with control group, patients had significantly higher frequency of metabolic syndrome and abdominal type of obesity (according to NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria). In spite of lesser level of plasma glucose and total cholesterol, plasma insulin and triglycerides concentrations were higher in patients with schizophrenia. High density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was lower in patients while arterial blood pressure level didn't differ between groups. Cortisol and prolactin levels were elevated in the patient group, but these hormones neither correlated with metabolic syndrome nor with any metabolic parameters studied. Discussion. The study conducted in Russia revealed the increased frequency of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients in comparison with mental healthy cohort. The main disorders found in the patient group were abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Conclusion: Results obtained in this study should be taken into account when developing of medical treatment of patients with schizophrenia.