Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to establish the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance in patients with schizophrenia and to elucidate some of the factors associated with hyperglycemia.


METHODS
We studied a sample of 194 patients with schizophrenia. We determined fasting blood glucose and insulin levels at the start of the testing period; patients were given an oral glucose tolerance test after an overnight fast.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in these patients was 16.0% and 30.9%, respectively. These rates were higher than those reported in the general population. Patients with disordered glucose homeostasis were significantly older (P = 0.005, Kruskal-Wallis test). There was no significant effect of sex or ethnicity on diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that patients with schizophrenia are more vulnerable to developing DM. We caution clinicians to be mindful of the increased risk and to be vigilant for such a development.
Subramaniam
Mythily
M
Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health and Woodbridge Hospital, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747. Mythily_Subramaniam@imh.com.sg
Chong
Siow-Ann
SA
Pek
Elaine
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D014280:Triglycerides