The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with schizoaffective disorder--bipolar subtype.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the point prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with schizoaffective disorder--bipolar type.


METHODS
Consenting patients who were participants in an ongoing clinical trial of adjunctive topiramate treatment for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type were evaluated at baseline for the point prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. The criteria for the metabolic syndrome included: (a) waist circumference > 102 cm (40 inches) in males, or > 88 cm (35 inches) in females; (b) fasting serum triglyceride levels > or = 150 mg/dL; (c) fasting high density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women; (d) blood pressure > or = 130/85 mmHg; and (e) fasting glucose > or = 110 mg/dL. Subjects who had at least three of these five criteria were defined as meeting criteria for the metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
Thirty-six subjects (males = 15, females = 21) were evaluated, and three were excluded for missing data. Among those 33 subjects with complete data, 14 subjects (42.4%, males = 7, females = 7, African Americans = 6, Caucasians = 8) met criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Not unexpectedly, those with the metabolic syndrome were significantly more likely to be obese, and have significantly higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean fasting triglyceride levels and larger mean waist circumferences, and significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels; and a trend toward higher fasting blood glucose levels. Furthermore, the fasting mean total cholesterol in those with the metabolic syndrome was 217 mg/dL (+/-46).


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary report suggests that the point prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with schizoaffective disorder appears to be higher than that reported in the general population of the USA. Targeted weight reduction and life style change strategies (increased exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction) may provide useful interventions to decrease the morbidity and mortality that accompanies the presence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with psychiatric illnesses.
Basu
Ranita
R
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593, USA.
Brar
Jaspreet S
JS
Chengappa
K N Roy
KN
John
Vineeth
V
Parepally
Haranath
H
Gershon
Samuel
S
Schlicht
Patricia
P
Kupfer
David J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D000077236:Topiramate; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose