INCIDENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ITS REVERSIBILITY IN A COHORT OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS FOLLOWED FOR ONE YEAR (original) (raw)

Cross-sectional studies showed a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients. This study aimed to identify incidence of metabolic syndrome and its reversibility in one year follow-up. Methods: Between 01/2003 and 04/2007 all patients in the department of psychotic disorders of a mental health care centre in the Netherlands were asked to participate in a screening program. Patients who had two complete screenings in one year follow-up were included in this analysis. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome were calculated by dividing the number of patients with metabolic syndrome by the number of all patients. Incidence was calculated by dividing new cases of metabolic syndrome by patients at risk, i.e. all patients who did not have metabolic syndrome at first screening. Results: In total 260 patients were included: 62% (n=162) were male, 38% (n=98) female. Average age was 38 (SD=11.9) years and median duration of disease was nine years. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (ATP III/NCEP criteria) was 35% (n=92) at first and 33% (n =86) at second screening. Incidence of metabolic syndrome in one year was 14% (n=24). Thirty patients (33%) had metabolic syndrome at the first screening, but not at second screening. Conclusions: This follow-up study showed a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients at both consecutive screenings. Surprisingly, a substantial number of patients developed or lost the metabolic syndrome over the course of one year.